Market Report, "Iran Shipping Report Q4 2010", published

Sept. 17, 2010 - PRLog -- In our view neither a projected slowdown in global box volumes nor current sanctions will slow growth in Iran's container shipping sector.

The country's main container port Bandar Abbas, defied the downturn in 2009, posting a year-on-year (yo- y) increase in box volumes of 10% to reach 2.2mn TEU. We project further growth over the mid term with the box throughput at the facility projected to pass the 3mn TEU milestone in 2014.

Sanctions are currently concentrated toward Iran's oil production and gasoline exports, but we fear that with the spot light being shone on Iran's state owned shipping company, Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line (IRISL) container operations of the firm could be hit with more stop and searches of IRISL's vessels on the cards.

The company has already demonstrated its ability to get round previous sanctions and Iran has already fired a warning shot that if any of its ships are searched it will respond in kind. However, further sanctions could lead to downside potential to our trade and port throughput forecasts for Iran.

BMI's Iran Container Shipping Key Views:

* Box throughput at Iran's main container port managed to continue growing in the downturn, highlighting the strength of box-shipping demand
* Large young consumer base spurring container demand
* Sanctions offer obvious downside risk to lines operating in Iran's container shipping sector
* Port development likely to become reliant on domestic firms as international companies are warned off

While BMI holds a global container shipping view that the container sector's recovery will slow in H210, we believe that Iran is fairly well insulated from this threat and that box throughput at the port of Bandar Abbas will grow at a stronger rate than in 2009.

BMI's Global Container Shipping Key Views:

* Y-o-y recovery, but not near 2008 levels
* Consumer demand in core box markets of US and Europe to fall
* Weakening demand view starting to play out as peak-season surcharges delayed
* Recovery signs in H1 may have been misleading
* Intra-Asia trade routes an area of potential growth and development

For more information or to purchase this report, go to:
-  http://www.fastmr.com/prod/83392_iran_shipping_report_q4_...

Report Table of Contents:

Executive Summary
- BMI's Iran Container Shipping Key Views:
- BMI's Global Container Shipping Key Views:
SWOT Analysis
- Iran Shipping SWOT
- Iran Political SWOT
- Iran Economic SWOT
- Iran Business Environment SWOT
Global Industry Overview
- Container Shipping Overview Q4 2010
- Key Views
- Dry Bulk Shipping Overview
- Liquid Bulk Shipping Overview Q4 2010
Market Overview
- Iran Container Shipping Overview
- IRISL- Target For Sanctions
Industry Trends and Developments
- Sanctions Target Shipping
- IRISL Main Target But All Lines Exercising Caution
- NITC Distances Its Connection To Iran
- Western Companies Backing Off
- But For Some Iran Too Important To Ignore
Industry Forecast
- Table: Major Port Data
- Table: Trade Overview
- Table: Key Trade Indicators
- Table: Main Import Partners
- Table: Main Export Data
- Macroeconomic Environment
- Table: Iran - Economic Activity
Company Profile
- A.P. MOLLER-MAERSK
- Mediterranean Shipping Company
- CMA CGM
- Neptune Orient Lines (& APL)
- Hapag-Lloyd
- Evergreen Line
- China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO)
- CSAV Shipping
- China Shipping (CSCL)
- Hanjin Shipping
- Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL)
- Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK)

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Fast Market Research is an online aggregator and distributor of market research and business information. We represent the world's top research publishers and analysts and provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available.