Mohammad Shakibi-Nasab, Managing Director of the Ports and Maritime Organization, highlighted the importance of corridors passing through Iranian territory in an interview with a Mehr News correspondent, noting that one of the most valuable initiatives recently pursued by the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development — as the country's transit authority — is the "elimination of border delays."

He added that numerous meetings have been held on this matter, and the Minister of Roads and Urban Development has pursued the initiative with determination under the central slogan: "The border is a place of passage, not a place of stoppage."

He continued: "This measure can create a genuine transformation in the utilization of Iran's territory for activating transit corridors. Ensuring that goods and containers passing through Iran's borders are not halted will have a decisive impact on enhancing the competitiveness of the country's corridors — because in transit, time matters even more than cost, and reduced transit time will be Iran's winning card in competition with alternative corridors."

Inter-Agency Coordination: The Key to Success

The Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development identified coordination among various agencies as a key factor in the success of the border-delay elimination plan, stating that the facilitation measures implemented and the inter-agency coordination achieved herald a historic step in the country's transit sector. Accordingly, with the issuance of the relevant directive, a significant transformation in productivity and optimal utilization of the country's transit corridors will be realized.

300 Million Ton Port Capacity: An Opportunity for Economic Leap

Referring to Iran's high port capacity, Shakibi-Nasab noted that the country's ports have a nominal capacity exceeding 300 million tons, yet only about 50 to 55 percent of this capacity is currently being utilized.

He pointed out that this situation reflects the considerable potential for increasing port performance, part of which depends on facilitative laws, regulations, and procedures. Given that more than 27 agencies are involved in the customs clearance and entry/exit processes for goods, he stated that if regulations and procedures are managed and streamlined to become increasingly agile, this could significantly improve services and accelerate port operations.

Attack on Ports: A Threat Turned into Opportunity

Referring to enemy attacks on the country's port facilities, the PMO Managing Director emphasized that by targeting ports, the enemy sought to disrupt the supply chain and reduce the attractiveness of Iran's corridors — yet this threat became an opportunity for other countries to substitute their own corridors for Iran's routes. Nevertheless, ports, as the central link in the supply chain, play a vital role in the country's foreign trade, and the more dynamic port activities become, the more the maritime economy will flourish.

Streamlining Processes: Unlocking Corridors Leading to Ports

In conclusion, the Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development noted that streamlining processes and reducing bureaucracy play a key role in activating corridors that terminate at or originate from ports. This approach not only boosts transit and foreign currency earnings but can also cement Iran's position as the region's transit hub.