Iran Shipping needs 500 ships

A deputy head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) predicted that the country?s shipping business would need some 450-500 ships in the next 15 years in order not to lose its position among the major regional shipping lines, Mehr News Agency reported. The number includes both dry cargo ships and tankers. Currently, IRISL owns 180 ships.

With the development in the next few years of the gas fields in the Persian Gulf territory, Iran would need 20 to 80 LNG carriers to transport its liquefied natural gas to all parts of the world. In addition, IRISL will need 100-120 oil tankers by 2015.