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Behran Oil Company

No Way Out

S. M. Husseini Commercial Director & Board Member Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL)

I intend to point out the recent issues and changes that have taken place at IRISL with respect to ownership of the company. Gaining confidence of major customers, further activity in international markets, renewal of fleet, enhancing the quality of services by applying technology in the field of maritime transportation, reducing the costs through increasing utilization of fleet, significant participation in the global market, and other special circumstances are on the target to complete our list of ambitions.
A number of developments have left their impacts on IRISL management as well as its commercial directorate. We are no longer a company wholly owned by the government. We have shareholders who do not care about anything but their profit. IRISL was making profit in the old days when its clients used to be issued a proforma invoice, open an L/C for IRISL and stand in the queue until their turn would come out. IRISL was making profit on those days, but probably at the expense of the country’s industry and economy. There is no more a crisis management theory to justify our deeds. On the contrary, we have to understand today’s conditions and requirements to adapt ourselves.
We have got perfect potentials: best harbors, new vessels, infrastructure, financial and human resources – whatever that maybe needed by a successful commercial company to run.
With the increasing trend in the world trade and with the rise in the demand for the shipment of manufactured goods from developing countries, the issue of upgrading our national fleet to suitable vessels and consideration of substantial orders are some parts of executive policies of our country.
In recent years, with the new approach of the management of the company and by expanding activities, steps have been taken to purchase new vessels for upgrading the fleet and reducing its average age in accordance with global standards. Our DW capacity is 2.8 million tons comprising of 84 ocean-going vessels and 45 bulk carriers with total DW of 1.9 million tons. IRISL’s potentials have made it the largest shipping company in the Middle East and one of the largest shipping companies in the world in terms of break bulk carriage.
Within the recent months, IRISL has experienced great developments. Its old ships have been moved out of service, new Panamax ships have been deployed to the field, IRISL container operating manual has been published for the first time, and computerized technology has been employed in the company’s system. We need to understand the changes and adapt ourselves. There is no way out. We have to forget concentrating solely on the Iranian market. We have to think of international potentials.

C. M. Najeeb Towell Barwill Co. LLC IRISL Agent in Oman

Container Targets

Towel Barwill Co. LLC is a very young IRISL container agency. A big country with a small population, Oman exports fish and edible oil from the ports of Salalah and Sultan Qaboos. IRISL’s representative in Oman has set its targets on manufacturing and exporting organizations in a vigorous marketing plan.

B. Nabil S.T.T.A.T IRISL Agent in Tunisia

African Figures

Having secured a 19.5% increase in containerized cargo in 2000 as compared with 1999, the Tunisian representative of IRISL has set itself some targeted figures with regard to the African continent. Tunisia is mainly a consumer country, with Italy, Spain and France as its main European suppliers. Tunisia receives about 75% of its container cargoes from Europe and the remaining 25% from Asia.

Stephen S. D. Kao Seven Ocean Maritime Transport Co. Ltd. IRISL Agent in Taiwan

Containers on Top

IRISL is the biggest carrier in the Middle East. My company has enjoyed close cooperation with IRISL for several years now. Introduction of containerized services is bound to lift IRISL’s status as a global partner. I presume in five years IRISL will secure a place on the list of biggest shipping lines in the world.

O. Vattanatangum U.T.L IRISL Agent in Thailand

Computer and Rice

The Thailand representative of IRISL operates 14 vessels. Working with the USA, Europe and Japan as its main markets, it has had to deal with a decline of exports caused by economic problems in USA and Japan. Some top export items from Thailand include computers and parts, rice and garments. In Asia, the target countries of Thailand representative are United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Baqar Gokal UNISHIP IRISL Agent in Pakistan

Potentials Increasing

Having represented IRISL for the past 20 years, the Pakistan agent sees great potential for IRISL in Pakistan since the country imports iron ore and coal and exports rice and fertilizers in break bulk. The temporarily negative impact of September 11th is cancellation of export orders. But its positive side is that the time is ripe for IRISL to become further involved in regional trade toward Europe.

Yohichiro Teshima Nippon Maritime Co. Ltd. IRISL Agent in Japan

Keeping up with Changes

One needs to drift along with the stream if they are after certain goals. A few years ago, no one would ever imagine the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) would make so much progress in a short period of time. Iran has all potentials to draw the attention of foreign investors and make more and more progress.

N. M. D. Russel WALLEM (HK) IRISL Agent in Hong Kong

High Expectations

The Hong Kong representative of IRISL operates two bulk vessels and 42 container vessels. A significant freight policy of the Hong Kong representative will be to strengthen marketing activities. “Even after the September 11th attacks, we are very confident about business in 2002.”