Chabahar Port
| Chabahar Port | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Click on the map for a fullscreen view | |
| Location | |
| Country | Iran |
| Location | Chabahar, Sistan and Baluchestan Province |
| Coordinates | 25°18′01″N 60°36′46″E / 25.300278°N 60.612778°E |
| Details | |
| Opened | 1970 |
| Operated by |  India Ports Global Private Limited (IPGPL) |
| Owned by |  Ports and Maritime Organization |
| Size of harbour | 480 ha (1,200 acres) |
| Land area | 440 ha (1,100 acres) |
| No. of berths | 10 |
| Employees | 1,000 |
| Director General | Siavash Rezvani |
| Statistics | |
| Website chabaharport | |
Chabahar Port is a seaport in Chahbahar in southeastern Iran. Its location lies in the Gulf of Oman. It is the only Iranian port with direct access to the ocean. The port was partially built by India in the 1990s to provide access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.[1][2]
The Indian-component of the port is also part of the Ashgabat agreement, signed by India, Oman, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, for creating an international transport and transit corridor facilitating transportation of goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf.[3]
Chabahar port history
The port of Chabahar is located in the south of Sistan and Baluchistan Province. Because of its establishments and ease of access to ocean as well as Oman Sea and Persian Gulf, long ago it was the centre of business, trade and navigation.
The master plan of the port of Chabahar was brought up in 1973, and its related contracts were signed with contractors. But for some reasons this plan was delayed after the Islamic Revolution, because of financial resources deficiencies. A part of this plan that contains quick berth and breakwater was started and finished.
Shahid – Kalantary port is one of two important ports in Chabahar. The executive operation of this port was started in 1981 and it became operational with the completion of four jetties in 1983. During the war between Iran and Iraq, the Iranian government noticed the important role of the port of Chabahar in Iran’s imports and exports, because of its unique characteristics such as being out of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. So, Shahid-Beheshti port was built and equipped as the most important port in Chabahar.
Geographical situation
The port of Chabahar is located in the south-east of Iran, north-west of the Indian Ocean, and north-east of the Oman Sea at 25°17′28″N 60°38′15″E / 25.29111°N 60.63750°E.
Chabahar-Zahedan Railway
In May 2016, during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to Iran, agreement was signed to develop two berths at Chabahar port and to build new Chabahar-Zahedan railway, as part of North–South Transport Corridor, by Indian Railway's public sector unit Ircon International.[4]
The establishment of the port of Chabahar's connection to the country’s railway plan, is under study and consideration. With the completion of the Kerman–Zahedan railway and its connection to the port of Chabahar, this port will connect to the Trans-Iranian Railway.
Chabahar to North–South Transport Corridor Integration
India and Iran have a long-standing agreement, signed in 2002, to develop Chabahar into a full deep sea port.[5] The port of Bandar Abbas port handles 85% of Iran's seaborne trade and is highly congested.[5] Whereas, Chabahar has high capacity with plans to expand it from its current capacity of 2.5 million to 12.5 million tons annually.[5][6] Unlike Bandar Abbas, Chabahar has the ability to handle cargo ships bigger than 100,000 tons.[6] Industry Analysts have highlighted there are long term plans to integrate Chabahar with the North–South Transport Corridor (NSTC), "India is also eyeing trade with Europe via the Chabahar port and the International North-South Transport Corridor".[5]
Climate
In general, the port of Chabahar is located in an area that has warm and humid summers and moderate winters.
| Climate data for Chabahar (1963–2010) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 31.0 (87.8) |
33.0 (91.4) |
38.0 (100.4) |
42.0 (107.6) |
46.0 (114.8) |
45.2 (113.4) |
47.0 (116.6) |
42.4 (108.3) |
42.0 (107.6) |
41.4 (106.5) |
37.0 (98.6) |
32.0 (89.6) |
47.0 (116.6) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 24.3 (75.7) |
25.1 (77.2) |
27.7 (81.9) |
30.7 (87.3) |
33.5 (92.3) |
34.4 (93.9) |
33.2 (91.8) |
31.9 (89.4) |
31.8 (89.2) |
32.0 (89.6) |
29.4 (84.9) |
26.3 (79.3) |
30.0 (86.0) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 19.9 (67.8) |
20.9 (69.6) |
23.6 (74.5) |
26.8 (80.2) |
29.8 (85.6) |
31.4 (88.5) |
30.8 (87.4) |
29.5 (85.1) |
28.8 (83.8) |
27.6 (81.7) |
24.5 (76.1) |
21.6 (70.9) |
26.3 (79.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 15.5 (59.9) |
16.8 (62.2) |
19.6 (67.3) |
22.9 (73.2) |
26.0 (78.8) |
28.3 (82.9) |
28.3 (82.9) |
27.1 (80.8) |
25.8 (78.4) |
23.2 (73.8) |
19.6 (67.3) |
16.8 (62.2) |
22.5 (72.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 7.0 (44.6) |
7.0 (44.6) |
9.6 (49.3) |
14.0 (57.2) |
16.0 (60.8) |
22.0 (71.6) |
21.0 (69.8) |
19.0 (66.2) |
19.0 (66.2) |
13.2 (55.8) |
9.0 (48.2) |
7.0 (44.6) |
7.0 (44.6) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 33.6 (1.32) |
23.4 (0.92) |
16.0 (0.63) |
3.4 (0.13) |
0.0 (0.0) |
6.2 (0.24) |
4.8 (0.19) |
1.8 (0.07) |
0.8 (0.03) |
3.7 (0.15) |
5.1 (0.20) |
19.2 (0.76) |
118.0 (4.65) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 2.8 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 10.1 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 62 | 68 | 72 | 73 | 75 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 78 | 75 | 68 | 63 | 72 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 244.9 | 236.8 | 255.5 | 279.1 | 320.4 | 271.3 | 219.3 | 225.5 | 253.5 | 289.3 | 272.2 | 253.8 | 3,120.6 |
| Source: Iran Meteorological Organization (records),[7] (temperatures),[8] (precipitation),[9] (humidity),[10] (days with precipitation),[11]
(sunshine)[12] | |||||||||||||
Current status
The Iranian government has signed a MoU with the Government of India to develop the Chabahar port. India will get direct access to Afghanistan through sea route after the completion of the project. The development will be done by floating a Special Purpose Vehicle which is aimed at investing $85 million for the development of the same.[2]
In Sept 2015, India announced development of Urea production plant and Iran's infrastructure. Indian minister of transport pledged to invest up; to $1 billion for the development.[13]
May 2016 Agreement between India, Iran, and Afghanistan
In May 2016, India signed an agreement to develop two berths at Chabahar port at a cost of $85 million,[14] over the course of 18 months.[15] India has also offered to supply $400 million worth of steel towards the construction of a rail link between Chahbahar and Zahedan,[16] as part of North–South Transport Corridor. Also signed was a memorandum of understanding to explore the possibility of setting up an aluminum smelter and urea processing facility in Chahbahar,[17]
India has also offered to invest up to ₹2 lakh crore (US$24 billion) in the Chabahar Special Economic zone by building gas and urea plant as well as other industries,[18] although such investments are predicated upon Iran offering India natural gas at a rate lower than the $2.95 per million British Thermal Units that they are offering currently. [19] which is substantially lower than the rate offered by Iran.[20] Under the agreements, India is also to make available a $500 million line of credit extended by the Exim Bank of India for the first phase of construction at the port.[21]
Some commentators in India have called it "a counter to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor" in that it gives India access to Afghanistan and Central Asia bypassing the "Pakistan-China arc."[22]
See also
- Ashgabat agreement
- Chabahar-Zaranj-Delaram-Hajigak railway: 900 km long Indian-Iranian project, would link future US$10 billion Indian iron-ore mining operations at Hajigak, Afghanistan to Chabahar, Iran, Published: Feb 2015
- Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India Pipeline
- Afghaistan rail network
- Rail transport in Afghanistan
- Rail transport in Iran
- North-South Transport Corridor
- Rail transport in Kazakhstan
- Rail transport in India
- Rail transport in Oman
- Rail transport in Tajikistan
- Rail transport in Turkmenistan
- Rail transport in Uzbekistan
References
- ^ Bedi, Rahul (1 March 2012). "India begins use of Chabahar port in Iran despite international pressure". The Telegraph.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b "India, Iran sign pact on developing Chabahar port". PTI. Tehran, Iran. Times of India. May 6, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ The Hans India - India accedes to Ashgabat agreement
- ^ India-Iran sign key agreements, Published: 23 May 2016
- ^ a b c d "India to Invest in Iran's Chabahar Port". The Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^ a b "Iran's Chabahar port transforms its position". The Jerusalem Post. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^
- "Highest record temperature in Chabahar by Month 1963–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- "Lowest record temperature in Chabahar by Month 1963–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ^
- "Average Maximum temperature in Chabahar by Month 1963–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- "Average Mean Daily temperature in Chabahar by Month 1963–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- "Average Minimum temperature in Chabahar by Month 1963–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ^ "Monthly Total Precipitation in Chabahar by Month 1963–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ^ "Average relative humidity in Chabahar by Month 1963–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ^ "No. Of days with precipitation equal to or greater than 1 mm in Chabahar by Month 1963–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ^ "Monthly total sunshine hours in Chabahar by Month 1963–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/India-to-invest-heavily-in-Iran-mega-projects-to-cost-Rs-1-lakh-crore/articleshow/49075962.cms
- ^ "India, Iran and Afghanistan sign Chabahar port agreement". Hindustan Time. 24 May 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ^ "Five things about Chabahar Port and how India gains from it". Economic Times. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ^ "Five things about Chahbahar and how India gains from it". Economic Times. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ^ {{cite news|title=India, Iran ink pact to develop Chabahar port, aluminium plant|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/india-iran-ink-pact-to-develop-chabahar-port-aluminium-plant-116052300759_1.html%7Caccessdate=24 May 2016|agency=Business Standard|
- ^ "India, Iran and Afghanistan sign historic three-way transit accord". The Economic Times. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
- ^ "India may invest Rs 2 lakh crore at Chabahar port in Iran: Nitin Gadkari". Economic Times. 8 October 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ^ "India may invest Rs 2 lakh crore at Chabahar port in Iran: Nitin Gadkari". Economic Times. 8 October 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ^ "India to play major role at Iran's Chabahar port". Khaleej Times. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
India is to open a $500-million line of credit to develop Iran's Chabahar port into a regional trading hub, Modi said. "The bilateral agreement to develop the Chabahar port and related infrastructure, and availability of about $500 million from India for this purpose, is an important milestone."
- ^ Gupta, Shishir (23 May 2016). "Why the Chabahar Port agreement kills two birds with one stone". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 24 May 2016.