President of the Iran-Oman Joint Chamber: Oman Seeks a Direct and Regular Shipping Line with Iran
Jamal Razaghi Jahromi, President of the Iran-Oman Joint Chamber of Commerce, announced that Oman is pursuing the establishment of a direct and regular shipping line with Iran, and expressed hope that the upcoming visit of the Iranian President will lead to further progress in this area.
He noted that the existing infrastructure between Iran and Oman is insufficient for trade, adding that “all the barriers we face in trade with other countries also exist in our trade with Oman.”
Razaghi Jahromi emphasized the disparity in trade volume, stating: “Our foreign trade with the UAE stands at $23 to $24 billion annually, whereas our trade with Oman amounts to approximately $3 billion. This figure has been achieved following the growth we’ve seen over the past three years. Given the close political ties between Iran and Oman, and the absence of such ties with the UAE, it is unclear why there is such a gap in commercial relations.”
He pointed out that one of the main obstacles to expanding trade between the two countries is the absence of a direct and regular shipping line. “Currently, we do not have a structured maritime connection with Oman,” he said. “The Omani side has long called for a regular and direct shipping line. They have even expressed willingness to subsidize 50% of the operational costs—provided that Iran covers the remaining 50%.”
The head of the joint chamber also highlighted banking issues as another major barrier, which he noted has been significantly addressed over the past two to three years, thanks to continuous follow-up efforts that have facilitated the work of traders.
While underscoring the importance of establishing a direct maritime route, Razaghi Jahromi stated that not all obstacles stem from Iran; some also lie on the Omani side. “However, they don’t face as many barriers as we do,” he said.
He further explained that a joint Iran-Oman meeting was held last month (in Esfand), during which “good results were achieved and favorable agreements were reached.” He expressed optimism that further breakthroughs will occur during the President’s upcoming visit.
Razaghi Jahromi concluded by stating that there are numerous opportunities for cooperation with Oman, but the most critical one is establishing a reliable and direct shipping line. “While some vessels currently operate between the two countries, these routes are not regular,” he explained. “As a result, our economic players—whether traders or producers—cannot rely on daily or consistent shipping services.”