Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) has teamed up with a Turkish partner, possibly to put four ultra large containership newbuildings beyond the reach of US sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
Online shipping databases are showing the 14,500-teu sisterships Barzin, Radin, Rayen and Hamoun (all built 2018) under the ownership and management of Istanbul Denizcilik ve Deniz.
The four vessels are set to be deployed on a new service connecting the Far East with Colombo, according to Alphaliner.
IRISL ordered the quartet, the largest containerships ever to have called in Iran, in December 2016 as part of a $650m deal with Hyundai Heavy Industries that included construction of six product tankers. The boxship quartet was due to be used to upgrade and nearly double capacity on a service between Asia and the Middle East, calling at Bandar Abbas in Iran.
IRISL mentioned the quartet on its website as recently as in spring this year, saying their combined carrying capacity of 58,000 teu would take the size of its boxship fleet to 50 ships and cement its position as one of the world’s 20 biggest liner operators.
Sanctions threat
Even at that time, however, the fate of its four neo-panamax containerships had already been unclear due to renewed sanctions imposed by the US against Iran. As TradeWinds reported in May, the quartet’s delivery, originally scheduled to begin in April, was delayed.
Shipbroker data and Equasis show the four vessels were ultimately delivered in August, with the crucial difference that Istanbul Denizcilik ve Deniz is now featuring as their owner and manager. Liner sources corroborate that the quartet is now understood to be managed by Turkish interests.
Alphaliner adds that the vessels are expected to be operated by Shanghai-based Reach Group, which is closely linked to IRISL.
Both IRISL and Istanbul Denizcilik ve Deniz did not respond to requests for comment as to whether that information is correct, or to clarify the nature of any agreement between them.
Istanbul Denizcilik ve Deniz does not feature the boxship quartet anywhere on its website. Its fleet list includes just eight modern, heavylift multipurpose vessels. They all fly the Hong Kong flag, just as the four IRISL containerships do. Istanbul Denizcilik ve Deniz says on its website it was established in 2011 as a shipowner and technical management company by founders who have 30 years of experience in the sector.
