Iran Denies Seized Korean Ship and Crew Are Being Held as Hostages
Iran denied on Tuesday it was using a South Korean ship and its crew as hostages, a day after it seized the tanker in the Gulf while pressing a demand for Seoul to release $7 billion in funds frozen under U.S. sanctions.The seizure of the MT Hankuk Chemi and its 20-member crew near the strategic Strait of Hormuz has been seen as an attempt by Tehran to assert its demands, just two weeks before President-elect Joe Biden takes office in the United States.Iran wants Biden to lift sanctions imposed by outgoing President Donald Trump. Tehran's critics have long accused it of capturing ships and foreign prisoners as a method of gaining leverage in negotiations."We've become used to such allegations," Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei told a news conference.
S.Korea Reviewing Planned Diplomat Visit to Tehran After Tanker Seizure
South Korea's foreign ministry is reviewing whether a senior diplomat would be visiting Tehran on Sunday as planned, an official said, after Iranian forces seized a South Korean-flagged chemical tanker in Gulf waters and detained its crew.The incident comes amid tensions between Tehran and Seoul over Iranian funds frozen in South Korean banks due to U.S. sanctions. Iranian state TV cited a Tehran government official as saying Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun had been due to discuss Iran's demand that $7 billion in frozen funds be released.In Seoul a foreign ministry official told Reuters "the plan is unclear as of now" regarding Choi's visit.Iranian media said on Monday that Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps had seized the tanker Hankuk Chemi over pollution violations.
Iranian Ships to Make Trips to Europe, Americas
Iran all set launch a shipping line to Europe, North and South American countries, as sanctions against Iran’s shipping industry has been recently lifted. The Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) has resumed its routes to various destinations across Europe, says IRISL managing director Mohammad Saeedi. According to Tehran Times, Iran’s shipping lines to Europe had been cut for seven years under the western-led sanctions against the country, but shipping lines to Homburg in Germany, Antwerp in Belgium, and Genoa in Italy are now re-connected thanks to the removal of sanctions, he said. He also said the country plans to launch a shipping line to South American countries, as sanctions against the shipping industry have been lifted.
Iran-built Container Ship Launched
Iran unveiled has unveiled its newest domestically-made container ship, named 'Iran-Shahrekord'. The ship has 2200 TEU capacity and has received all the necessary certificates from international institutes reports the Tehran Times. In addition, the National Iranian Tanker Company managing director announced that 21 new tankers will be added to the national fleet by the end of 2013, raising the country’s crude transportation capacity to 180 million tons per year. The Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines managing director, Mohammad-Hossein Dajmar, claims that according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Iran holds a 1.17 percent share of the total shipping capacity in the world, placing the country in 19th position.
Iran Tanker Company to Add 21 Tankers
The managing director of the National Iranian Tanker Company announced that 21 new tankers will be added to the national fleet by the end of 2013, reaching the country’s crude transportation capacity to 180 million tons per year, according to a report on the Tehran Times. (Source: Tehran Times)
Iraq - New Offshore Oil Terminal
According to a report from Tehran Times, the former Iraqi Oil Minister, Thamir Ghadhban, told the press that Iraq plans to build a new offshore oil terminal in Basra, in addition to reviving the existing facilities. (Source: Tehran Times)
Contracts for Three Exploration Blocks to be Finalized Soon
National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) exploration manager said the contracts of three of the 17 oil blocks put out to tender will be finalized soon. Reportedly, 23 domestic and foreign companies have purchased the documents of 17 blocks, saying the majority of purchasers are international giants. Iran is attempting to lure international oil and gas companies to invest despite rising pressure from the U.S. over its nuclear energy program. Iran has this year been promoting an international exploration tender for 17 onshore and offshore blocks. The original deadline for receiving offers was June, but the NIOC announced early that month that it was extending the limit by a further month.
Iran Needs 40 LNG Carriers
National Iranian Tanker Co. (NITC) managing director said the country would produce over 80 million tons of LNG each year, and that 40 LNG carriers would be required, according to a report on www.tehrantimes.com. According to the report, the first cargo of Iran’s LNG would be shipped in 2011 and a 150 thousand cubic meter LNG carrier is needed to transport one million tons of liquefied natural gas.
Iran-Turkmen Ships to Launch in March
Four Russian-made ships under the name of “Iran-Turkmen” will be launched in the Caspian Sea by March 2008, said the Caspian Sea Shipping Co. managing director Saturday. The company’s fleet will reportedly reach 10 when the four are delivered. Reportedly, $48m from the Oil Stabilization Fund (OSF) has been allocated for the building of the four vessels. [Source: http://www.tehrantimes.com]
