Variations of the name Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (Tehran Times 1 Sept. 1996; ibid. 29 Aug. 1996; Iran News 14 Nov. 1995; ibid. 11 Jan. 1998) have been reported and include Islamic Republic Shipping Company (Payam-e Darya Feb. 1997; Iran News 20 Apr. 1995; IRNA 20 May 1993), the Shipping Company of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRNA 4 Oct. 1997; ibid. 26 June 1995), the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Company (IRNA 30 Oct. 1999), and the Islamic Republic Shipping Line (IRNA 8 Nov. 1995). Sources from February 1997 to 2000 identify Ahad (Ahmad) Mohammadi as managing director (Payam-e Darya Feb. 1997; Europa 2000, 1873), "Chairman and Managing Director of IRISL" (Iran News 11 Jan. 1998), and "director-general of the Islamic Republic of Iran shipping company (IRNA 30 Oct. 1999). Sources from 1996 to October 1997 identify Mostafa Al-e Eshaq (Ale-Eshaq) as the managing director (Tehran Times 29 Aug. 1996; ibid. 1 Sept. 1996; IRNA 4 Oct. 1997). Reports from November 1993 to 1995 identify Mahmoud Farhang-Tarjoman as the company's managing director (Xinhua 29 Nov. 1993; IRNA 14 Nov. 1995; Iran News 14 Nov. 1995; IRNA 26 June 1995; ibid. 8 Nov. 1995). An undated article from Payam Darya on the Website of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) identifies Mr. Afkhami as "chairman of the board and managing director of IRISL" (a).

Sources describe the company as the largest shipping company in the Middle East (ibid. n.d.b; Payman-e Darya Feb. 1997; Tehran Times 1 Sept. 1996). The Website of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines describes the company:

the foremost ocean carrier in the Middle East, with a fleet consisting of a variety of modern ocean going vessels, of modern equipment with efficient and high speed heavy cranes, is the most suitable and reliable carrier for the maritime transportation of all types of cargo: including steel products, CKD paper and wood products, bulk commodities, valuable and special cargoes and project shipments including heavy, bulky and over dimensioned parcels. IRISL's liner and bulk services provide regular and frequent sailing from all the major ports of the world to Iran and Persian Gulk ports (n.d.a).

With regard to the company's structure, under the title of "IRISL Commercial Directors," the IRISL Website lists:

Commercial Director; Deputy Commercial Director; Marketing Department, Export Coordination & Transit; Liner Division P.E.L. Europe, Mediterranean, Red Sea, Black Sea; Liner Division P.J.L. Far East, S.E. Asia, India, Australia, Liner Division P.A.L Latin & North America, Africa, Persian Gulf; Bulk Division - Grain & Food Stuff; Bulk Division - Industrial & Chemical Goods; Container Control Department; Chartering Department; Port Operation & Agency Cell.; and, Insurance & Claim Department (n.d.d).

Under the heading of "Offices - Agencies, Domestics" the Website provides contact details for a range of countries, including Canada (n.d.e), while under the heading of "Offices - Agencies, Overseas" the Website provides contact details for offices in London, Hamburg, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Singapore (n.d.f).

The Website also lists as "affiliated companies": Valfajre-8 Shipping Co., Khazar Shipping Co., IRISL Training Institute, Marine Services & Engineering Co., Shipping Computer Services Co., and South Shipping Lines-Iran Line (n.d.g). Under the heading of "Joint Venture Shipping Companies" the Website states: "Pursuant to the policy of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran with regards to the development and expansion of relations with regional and friendly countries, IRISL has established joint venture shipping companies" and lists the following: Iran-o-Hind Shipping Co., Iran-o-Misr Shipping Co., ECO Shipping Co., and Oasis Freight Agency (n.d.h). The IRISL's services include: bulk services, container services, "transit cargo for inland ports in Iran and C.I.S. countries," and "door to door and transshipment services" (n.d.i).

Other sources have also reported the IRISL's involvement with joint ventures. Iran News reported on 20 April 1995 that the "Islamic Republic Shipping Company" was "a partner to the Irano-Hind, Irano-Italian, Irano-Kuwait and the Iran-U.A.E companies, holding 51% of total shares" and that "efforts were underway to set up an Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) shipping company along the lines of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Shipping Company established recently." The Tehran Times reported IRISL as having joint shipping lines with "Kuwait, India and Egypt" and as being "an active member of the Economic Cooperation Organization's shipping lines" (1 Sept. 1996). Payam-e Darya reported the company's managing director as saying:

Seven companies are cooperating with the Islamic Republic Shipping Company as its subsidiaries. Most shares of the seven companies belong to the Islamic Republic Shipping Company [IRISL]. They are Caspian Sea Shipping Company, the Fleet Logistics Company, and the Shipping Training Institute. Valfajr 8 Company and the Iran-India Shipping Company were established before the Islamic Revolution. Presently, the Iran-Egypt Shipping Company is not so active due to some political reasons and we hope to activate the company in a near future. A meeting to this effect is to be held in the bureau of the company in Tehran or Cairo (Feb. 1997).

Iran News reported on 18 January 1995 that Pakistan's Federal Cabinet had approved "a plan to set up a joint venture shipping company with the Islamic Republic of Iran" through the "Iran Shipping Line" which would control 51 per cent, while Pakistan National Shipping Corporation would control 49 per cent. According to a report carried by AFP, the joint venture would be run from Tehran with the first chairman coming "from Iran Shipping Line and the managing director from Pakistan National Shipping Corporation" (ibid.).

With regard to Iranian governmental involvement in the company, the IRISL states that it is "flying the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran" (n.d.b), that it was established in 1967 and that "after the Iranian Islamic Revolution, under the auspices of Islamic Republic government, the company expanded its activities" (ibid. n.d.c). According to The Europa World Yearbook 2000 the IRISL is "affiliated with the Ministry of Commerce" (2000, 1873). Nevertheless, the MaritimeData Services Website lists distinguishes IRISL as a ship owner, with 65 ships, from the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, with 55 ships (2000). Payam-e Darya reported in February 1997 that "the company receives no financial help from the government and shoulders all the expenses related to maintenance of ships and replacement of aged vessels with new ones," although it also reported that the company's managing director had asked for government help to purchase new ships. Iran News also reported that the managing director had asked for government financial support to purchase new ships (11 Jan. 1998). The managing director also reportedly said that foreign companies would invest in Iran's shipping industry (Iran News 14 Nov. 1995; IRNA 14 Nov. 1995). However, according to a 29 July 1995 IRNA article, sources in India's Ministry of Surface Transportation claimed that the Iran-o-Hind joint venture "was facing operational problems as the Iranian partner had to consult its government on vital decisions."

It should also be noted that one of four branches of the Bonyad Transportation Group - a section of the Bonyad Mostazafan and Janbazan Foundation - is that of shipping lines identified as "Bonyad Shipping Company (BOSCO), Bonyad Shipping Agencies Company (BOSACO) and Barandaz Company" (Bonyad Mostazafan and Janbazan Foundation (n.d.). Payam Darya refers to IRISL and Bonyad as distinct organizations (n.d.b). For further information on Bonyad Mostazafan and Janbazan, please consult IRN34926.E of 11 August 2000.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Bonyad Mostazafan and Janbazan, Tehran, Iran. n.d. "Transportation." http://iran-bonyad.org/htm/trans.html [Accessed 3 Apr. 2001]

The Europa World Year Book 2000. 2000. 41st ed. Vol. 1. London: Europa Publications

Iran News [Tehran, in English]. 11 January 1998. "Iran Obtains ISM and ISO Certificates for Its Fleet." http://www.netiran.com [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

_____. 14 November 1995. "Exclusive: Foreign Companies Invest in IRI Shipping." http://www.netiran.com [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

_____. 20 April 1995. "Iranian Shipping Company Boasts Expanded Capacity." http://www.netiran.com [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

_____. 18 January 1995. "Iran, Pakistan Joint Shipping Company Established." http://www.netiran.com [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

IRNA [Tehran, in English]. 30 October 1999. "Fourth Ship Purchased from China Delievered to Iran." (BBC Summary 9 Nov. 1999/NEXIS)

_____. 4 October 1997. "Islamic Shipowners' Association Conference Held in Tehran." (BBC Summary 14 Oct. 1997/NEXIS)

_____. 14 November 1995. "Foreign Investments Expected in Iranian Shipping Industry." http://www.netiran.com [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

_____. 8 November 1995. "41 New Ships to be Added to Iran's Commercial Fleet." http://www.netiran.com [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

_____. 29 July 1995. "Iran-o-Hind May Disinvest 10 Percent of Its Equity." http://www.netiran.com [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

_____. 26 June 1995. "Iran to Buy 12 Merchant Ships From China and Croatia." http://www.netiran.com [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

_____. 20 May 1993. "Iran; Development of Shipping Fleet." (BBC Summary 25 May 1993/NEXIS)

Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, Tehran, Iran. n.d.a. "Homepage." http://www.irisl.net/index.htm [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

_____. n.d.b. "Overview." http://www.irisl.net/prof.htm [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

_____. n.d.c. "History." http://www.irisl.net/history.htm [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

_____. n.d.d. "IRISL Commercial Directors." http://www.irisl.net/commerc01.htm [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

_____. n.d.e. "Offices - Agencies, Domestics." http://www.irisl.net/Domestics.htm [Accessed 10 Apr. 2001]

_____. n.d.f. "IRISL Offices - Agencies, Overseas." http://www.irisl.net/Represen.htm [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

_____. n.d.g. "IRISL Affiliated Companies." http://www.irisl.net/affiliat.htm [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

_____. n.d.h. "Joint Venture Shipping Companies." http://www.irisl.net/affiliat.htm [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

_____. n.d.i. "Services." http://www.irisl.net/services.htm [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

MaritimeData Services, London, U.K. 2000. "Free Data Frame." http://www.maritimedata.com/Free/MainFrame.asp [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

Payam-e Darya [Tehran, in English].. February 1997. No. 65. "Renovating and Rejuvenating the Islamic Republic Shipping Company." http://www.netiran.com [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

_____. n.d.a. "IRISL to Transport 10 M. Tons Cargo in the International Markets During Next Five Years." http://www.irisl.net/PAYAM90.htm#1 [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

_____. N.d.b. "New Prospects for Hamburg's Universal Port in Seabourne Foreign Trade Wth the Islamic Republic of Iran." http://www.irisl.net/PAYAM90.htm#1 [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

Tehran Times. 1 September 1996. "Iran to Become More Active in International Transport." http://www.netiran.com [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

_____. 29 August 1996. "Iran Mobin Lingers at Bandar Abbass." http://www.netiran.com [Accessed 9 Apr. 2001]

Xinhua. 29 November 1993. "New Shipping Line to Open Between S. Iran, Kuwait." (NEXIS)

IRB databases

LEXIS-NEXIS

REFWORLD

World News Connection (WNC)

Internet sites including:

International Association of Ports and Harbors

MaritimeData.com

NetIran Website. Encompassing IRNA 1993-98, Iran News 1993-99, Tehran Times 1995-98.

Secretariat of ICOPMAS Ports and Shipping Organization (P.S.O) (Iran)

The World Shipping Directory