PMO News Portal - "National Transportation day is a valuable opportunity to appreciate the unparalleled services of the country's transportation sector activists and to shake their generous hands warmly. On this day, we honor the men and women who, with their relentless efforts, kept the wheels of the country's economy in motion on sea, land, and sky, and despite all the shortcomings and problems, kept the country's supply chain running. This day commemorates the efforts and sacrifice of our predecessors on December 16, 1983, the day when, with their participation and support, the country's transportation chain was preserved in critical conditions. Today we look forward to a brighter future in the maritime transportation industry, a future that will be shaped by relying on domestic capabilities and focusing on a sea-based economy."
This year, National Transport Day is being celebrated in a condition where the country has found a new horizon for development and progress in the field of maritime economy. New policies emphasize the sustainable exploitation of the country's maritime capacities, and their ultimate goal is economic growth and strengthening the gross domestic product. Maritime development, by taking advantage of Iran's exceptional location in the vicinity of open waters and the extensive capacities of the country's ports and seas, can act as a driving force for the national economy and enhance Iran's position in international trade and transit.
The Ports and Maritime Organization has been able to significantly increase the capacity of the country's commercial ports in the port and maritime sector by implementing development and infrastructure projects at the provincial, national and international levels. The nominal loading and unloading capacity of the country's commercial ports has reached 450 million tons. Currently, 444 projects with a credit of 182 Thousand Billion Toman are under study or implementation with investment from the organization and the private sector. The exploitation of these projects will significantly increase the operational capacity of the country's ports. Comprehensive measures have been taken in three main areas in the field of safety, security and protection of the marine environment. Increasing the capacity of the country's commercial fleet and improving its international ranking, along with the development of maritime passenger services, have yielded significant results.
One of the serious challenges of the maritime transport industry is the shortage of specialized human resources. In order to address this challenge, the Ports and Maritime Organization has taken fundamental steps to provide and train efficient human resources. These steps, while strengthening the specialized workforce, will pave the way for sustainable growth and development in this industry. With the support of continuous efforts and careful planning, this organization has been able to achieve significantly in recent years, including winning first place in the Shahid Rajaee Festival and a top position among the country's executive agencies.