Majid Karimi, director-general of financial and commercial markets study office at the ministry, told IRNA on Saturday that Iran’s non-oil trade with 11 member states of the SCO reach 9.85 billion dollars in spring.

He said that Iran’s non-oil exports to those countries amounted to 5.5 billion dollars with 20 percent increase compared to the same period last year and its imports accounted to 4.35 billion dollars up by 41 percent.

China, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, and Uzbekistan topped Iran’s list of exports destinations among the SCO members this spring, according to Karimi.

He highlighted the presence of China and Russia in the SCO as the two permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and India as an emerging economy adds to the significance of Iran’s accession to the regional organization.

Karimi said that the SCO can remove the dollar and euro from transactions between member states and plan for a single currency in the future, noting that Iran has offered using insurances and financial channels.

The SCO can also adopt proper approaches on sustainable collaborations on energy, as two world’s biggest energy producers (Russia and Iran) and two world’s biggest energy consumers (China and India) are members of the organization.

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This guide is designed to inspire travel to Iran and give practical travel tips that are hard to find for a country so rarely visited, with the second half outlining the best ways to get to Iran using your points. Make sure to read The Essentials section at the end of this piece.

All of the following images were taken by the author and should not be reproduced without permission.

1. Meet the friendliest people in the world

Word is that Iranians are the amongst the most genuine and approachable people in the world. Is it true?

I had high expectations…and they were met. I would put Iranians in the same category as the Japanese and Americans for hospitality.

Never before in my travels had I ever been stopped on the street so many times (in a non-intrusive way) to be asked:

• Where are you from?
• What did you think of Iran before you came?
• What do you think of it now?

2. Visit the most beautiful city in the world

Big call? Probably. There are many beautiful cities in the world – Kyoto, Sydney, Paris – but Iran’s second-biggest city and main tourist drawcard Isfahan definitely deserves a spot up there.

Built on the River Zayandehrood, even with its dry desert climate it is teeming with green parks, plenty of shade on walks along the river, beautiful bridges, and historic mosques, churches and palaces. If you are going to visit one place in Iran, this is the place to go.

3. Watch the sunset over the dunes in the middle of the desert

Yazd is the gateway desert city of Iran, with day and overnight tours into the desert.

The only sound we heard whilst watching the suns rays descend over the flowing desert dunes was a light breeze carving sand into new dune formations. Truly breathtaking.

4. Eat till your heart’s content

Foodies will love Iran, with primary dishes being lamb, mutton, chicken, eggplant, lentils, cheese, yoghurt, rice, dates and pita bread. Vegetarians will be slightly more limited in choices, but it is not prohibitive.

Having said that, all breakfasts tend to be vegetarian, made up of feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, pita bread, yoghurt and watermelon.

Foodies of all persuasions should be sure to visit the moderately-priced vegetarian restaurant in the Iranian Artists’ Forum in Honarmandan Park (also known as Artists’ Park). The second time we went back the waiter brought us an extra course for free and two university professors at a nearby table joined us for lunch.

5. Visit some of the least tourist-filled mosques in the world

Even during the peak travel month of May, it was hard to encounter many other tourists at the majestic mosques that Iran puts a lot of effort into keeping beautiful.

Of course, be respectful of prayer times, take off your shoes and remember that there are separate areas for men and women. Be sure to check the opening times of mosques on the internet or with your accommodation so as to not be caught out by them being closed.

Mosques in Isfahan are the most expensive to get into (around $8 each), but are also the most beautiful.

6. Visit the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire

Persepolis (literally ‘The Persian City’) brought together the 28 nations of the Persian Empire (at its peak) for ceremonies and was known as the United Nations of the empire.

Located 90 minutes east of Shiraz, choose the more reasonably-priced accommodation options in Shiraz rather than stay near the UNESCO-protected site, but avoid the midday and afternoon heat by catching a private taxi out for the 8am opening. A tour guide is highly recommended and can be organized upon arrival at the site.

7. Transport options are cheap and relatively efficient

Most transport is by road, so if looking to save money, go by bus, but we found it funny/frustrating how many times people were moved around the bus by the bus driver to make sure that women and men were not seated together. This strict policy is more the work of the government rather than the considerably liberally-minded population.

If you have a bit more money, then another option is a private driver, which will be faster and more comfortable, but you will miss out on the local bus experience.

The 10-12 hour overnight Chinese-built train between Tehran and Shiraz is highly recommended at about $25 for a seat which converts into a bed in a four-person single-sex air-conditioned compartment. Bring your own food – disappointing food on the train.

The essentials

• Safety: apart from the state execution of a prominent Saudi figure triggering protests in Tehran earlier this year, there is a reason that we rarely hear of violence and terrorist attacks in Iran compared to much more dangerous Middle Eastern countries like Turkey, Israel and Egypt. I can honestly say that I felt safer and less on-edge in Iran than in some European capitals like London, Paris and Brussels, and petty theft is quite uncommon. Of course, please take into account official government warnings and check that your travel insurance will be valid in Iran.
• Best time to go: as you would expect from a country with climatic extremes, spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October) are the best times to visit. We went in mid-May and the weather was gloriously sunny and warm-to-hot, without being oppressive.
• Money: take all the cash you may need for the trip…and then some. International cards do not work at Iranian ATMs, so take clean, relatively new US dollars, euros or pounds (not that they are worth much at the moment) to exchange at moneychangers on the street. Be sure to ask your hotel for the going rate before venturing out to change. In May 2016, it was 1 USD = 34,000 rials and 1 EUR = 38-39,000 rials. You can also pay in USD or EUR at most establishments, with change given in rials. Note that most prices are in ‘tomans’, which is one zero less than the price in rial, e.g. 1 USD = 34,000 rials = 3,400 tomans.
• Visas: Australians and New Zealanders are eligible to receive a visa on arrival at the major airports in Iran, including Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz. You must bring along a copy of your travel insurance which states the dates of coverage as well as clearly indicating it covers travel in Iran. You will be required to pay a visa fee of about €145; most EU nationals pay €75, but as Australia and NZ are allies of the US, that’s where the difference comes from. If you have dual citizenship, try to see which passport gives you a cheaper visa fee. You also need to have a confirmed hotel reservation or letter of invitation printed out, and they will call your hotel to make sure it is legitimate. You do not need hotel bookings for your whole trip, just the first night or two. Expect this process at the airport to take 1-2 hours. Most international flights arrive between midnight and 6am, which is highly inconvenient, but just breathe and be patient. As of this year, any traveller eligible for the ESTA visa waiver program for the US that has travelled to Iran in the past five years will need to apply for a tourist visa at their nearest US embassy or consulate when travelling to the US.
• Money and costs: Budget Your Trip estimates that in Iran you will spend about the same as what you would in Thailand or Mexico, half of what you would in Greece, or double what you would in India. Tehran is surprisingly pricey, especially for accommodation, but the real gems of Iran are outside the capital, so you shouldn’t be spending too much time there anyway. For basic private accommodation for two with breakfast included (always), intercity bus or train transport, mid-range restaurant meals and an attraction or two a day, we spent an average of $60 AUD/NZD per person per day over ten days.
• Drinking water: Water is surprisingly perfectly safe to drink from the tap and Iran has the widest network of public drinking fountains in streets, parks, bus stations, etc that I have seen anywhere in the world.

The post 7 Reasons to Travel to Iran appeared first on IRAN This Way.

“Following the removal of sanctions, new players have emerged in the mix,” VesselsValue said in a report. Iran’s crude oil shipments have been delivered to destinations ranging from Malaysia and Singapore in Asia to Syria in Africa, it said, according to Platts.

In 2016, the number of voyages to deliver crude from Iran to France was estimated at 21, while Italy, Greece and Spain took 15, 14 and 13 shipments respectively, it said. This includes shipments in VLCC, Suezmaxes and Aframaxes.

In July 2012, the European Union had banned the import of Iranian crude by member countries and also the provisions of EU-linked insurance, which included protection and indemnity cover for any shipments of Iranian crude, irrespective of destination. The sanctions were relaxed in January last year.

There has also been a significant change in the geographical mix of owners whose ships were used to lift Iranian cargoes of crude.

Prior to the lifting of sanctions, the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) was the largest provider of tonnage to load cargoes from Iran, in addition to Iran-o Hind, Idemitsu Tanker, JX Ocean and KLine.

The Iranian ships were provided local insurance cover but there were always concerns over the possibility of any potential liability in event of maritime accidents in waters of importing countries which were permitted to purchase crude from Tehran.

During the period of sanctions, India permitted Iranian ships to call at Indian ports based on Tehran’s local insurance cover, China used ships of domestic companies while the Japanese government provided insurance cover only for VLCCs.

South Korea and Taiwan also took deliveries of cargoes purchased on a cost and freight (CFR) basis.

Now, “the group of shipowners lifting crude from Iran has changed dramatically to include those from Greece and Belgium”, VesselsValue said.

“The influx of owners from Greece has significantly increased the number of Suezmaxes plying on the ex-Iran voyages to 81 last year, compared with 15 in 2015,” the report said.

While NITC continues to be the market leader in terms of the number of ships deployed for loading crude from Iran, other companies with ships loading from the country include Dynacom, Delta Tankers, Euronav, Polembros, COSCO, Avin International, Olympic Shipping and Management, New Shipping and Thenamaris, it said.

Last month, two Iranian VLCCs, the ‘Huge’ and the ‘Snow’ delivered a mix of the country’s heavy and light crude grades to Shell at Rotterdam, according to trade sources and S&P Global Platts.

In late January, Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said that the country was producing 3.9 mbd crude and was set to reach its 4 mbd target by the end of the Iranian year on March 20.

This will mark the return of Iran’s output to levels last seen before 2012, when international sanctions were imposed on the country.

A Platts survey released on February 6 estimated Iranian production at 3.72 mbd in January, up 30,000 bpd from December.

While cuts in crude production have been initiated under an OPEC-led agreement, Iran is allowed to boost its output to 3.797 mbd. If this materializes, Iran’s output would exceed its OPEC quota by more than 100,000 bpd.

This is expected to translated into more crude shipments from Iran. According to VesselsValue, the seaborne exports of Iranian crude are rising significantly.

The number of crude laden shipments from Iran increased to 563 last year — up from 66 in 2012 and 277 in 2015, their data showed.

The post Tankers show sharp rise in Iran’s crude oil shipments to Europe appeared first on IRAN This Way.

New Managing Director of the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) Sirous Kianersi described latest status of oil displacement agreements between NITC and huge European oil companies saying “so far, 35 contracts have been inked with European sides for taking out leases on 35 Iranian tankers.”

The official stated that the 35 lease contracts had been signed with oil giants from various EU states like Greece, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands asserting that the deals were spot contracts which were sealed for transport of crude oil.

He highlighted that Iranian tankers enjoyed highest standards for transference of crude oil in ports and oil terminals of the European Union (EU); “so far, agreements have been signed with majority of European oil firms like Spain’s Cepsa, Italy’s Eni in addition to Greek and Dutch companies.

In view of post-JCPOA conditions and removal of restrictions, more agreements will be sealed with European oil giants for displacement of crude oil, the official reiterated.

Last week, Kianersi had reported on berthing of Iranian oil tankers at EU oil terminals stressing that the first Iranian tanker had tied up at a Spanish socking site.

For the first time ever, an Iranian tanker, which has been lent out to a large Spanish oil company, moored at Algeciras port of the European state.

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Sirous Kianersi added the first NITC tanker leased to a major Spanish oil company docked at the Port of Algeciras just recently, reported IRNA on Wednesday.

More NITC tankers are heading to other European ports, he said, adding two vessels are currently en route to the Netherlands.

NITC is the biggest tanker company in the Middle East and one of the largest in the world with a capacity of 15.5 million tons per year.

Managing Director of Iran’s Port and Maritime Organization Mohammad Saeednejad also said on Wednesday that the lifting of sanctions has allowed Iranian ships to fully resume operations to Asian, European and American ports.

Since October, Iranian VLCCs have reportedly completed 32 voyages delivering around 70 million barrels. China accounted for 13 voyages and India for 12 others.

As many as 17 international shipping lines have resumed their calls at Iranian ports which were deserted by and large during the sanctions, Saeednejad said.

Iranian VLCC fleet, which had been used as floating storage, has started to reappear on international trading routes. Since October, more than 20 NITC-operated VLCCs have returned to the market compared to just 13 in October.

Iran’s oil exports hit 2.04 million barrels per day in November, recovering from a decline of around one million barrels per day during the sanctions. Over the last 12 months, European customers have resumed lifting Iranian crude oil, with France, Spain, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Taiwan taking at least one shipment.

According to ship tracking data, the number of Iranian VLCCs in storage has fallen from 16 to 7 units, which equals to a reduction of 20 million barrels. As much as 15 million barrels of crude oil is estimated to remain in floating storage on NITC’s VLCCs — down from an estimated peak of between 40 and 50 million barrels.

On Tuesday, a report said global ship insurers were about to resume near full coverage for Iranian oil exports from next month without involving US-domiciled reinsurers.

Restrictions on US firms handling Iranian goods had greatly limited the number of reinsurers of cargoes, but the new arrangements, which essentially allow re-insurance of ships without the involvement of US firms, should boost the number of eligible shipments, Reuters reported.

“There will be no US-domiciled reinsurer participation on the 2017 IG reinsurance program,” the news agency quoted Andrew Bardot, secretary and executive officer at the International Group (IG) of P&I Clubs in London, as saying.

The post Iran oil tanker in Europe first time after JCPOA appeared first on IRAN This Way.

The sharp increase propelled Iran into fourth place among India’s suppliers in 2016, up from seventh position in 2015. It used to be India’s second-biggest supplier before sanctions.

India import 473,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil from Iran in 2016

For the year, the world’s third biggest oil consumer bought about 473,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil from Iran to feed expanding refining capacity, up from 208,300 bpd in 2015, the data showed.

In December, imports from Iran trebled from a year earlier to about 546,600 bpd.

In 2015 refiners slowed purchases due to sanctions which choked payment routes, insurance and halved Iran’s exports.

Indian refiners Reliance Industries, Hindustan Petroleum, Bharat Petroleum and HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd (HMEL) last year resumed imports from Tehran, attracted by the discount offered by Iran.

“In most of 2016 there was a fight among Gulf producers to increase their market share and lifting of sanctions against Iran has intensified that fight,” said Ehsan ul Haq, senior analyst at London-based consultancy KBC Energy Economics.

In April-December, the first nine months of this fiscal year, Iranian supplies to India averaged a record 530,300 bpd, up from about 400,000 bpd before sanctions tightened against Tehran.

India’s 2016 Iranian oil imports were the highest in at least six years, according to the Reuters data.

Government data going back over a longer period shows the average was the highest since the 2001-02 fiscal year.

Overall, India imported 4.3 million bpd oil in 2016, up 7.4 percent from the previous year.

Rising imports from Iran and Iraq lifted the Middle Eastern share in India’s crude diet to 64 percent in 2016, reversing a declines in recent years, partly due to rising prices for Atlantic Basin oil tied to Brent.

The average premium for Brent jumped against Dubai crude to more than $3 a barrel in 2016 from around $1.80 in 2015.

“In 2016 Iran ramped up its output to regain market share while Iraq segregated its production into Basra Light and Heavy to attract customers. Basra Heavy was sold at a discount, making it more attractive than rival grades,” said Haq.

Iran’s share of Indian oil imports surged to 11 percent in 2016 from 5 percent in 2015.

Saudi Arabia remained the top supplier to India last year followed by Iraq and Venezuela.

Imports from Latin America declined for a second year, with its share of imports shrinking to about 16 percent from 18 percent, while Africa’s share fell to about 15 percent from a fifth.

“Low oil prices brought down production in Latin America while Nigerian barrels were impacted by violence in the Niger Delta. Also falling US oil output impacted trade flows, with some Latin American and African oil finding a place in the US,” Haq said.

The post Iran’s oil export to India hit new record in 2016 appeared first on IRAN This Way.

Managing Director of Iran‘s Petroleum Engineering and Development Company Noureddin Shahnazizadeh said that Inpex signed a memorandum of understanding on the project last June and with the passage of six-month study period, a final proposal is expected soon, said, Kyodo News reported.

Inpex — which previously held a 75-percent stake in the project but pulled out in 2010 amid US sanctions on Iran — was the first foreign company to sign a memorandum last year on the oilfield which is one of the largest in the world.

However, it has four major rivals — Total SA, Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and China National Petroleum Corp. — which have also started assessments and begun to send proposals.

“Inpex is one of the good names in the oil industry and as it has experience and data regarding Azadegan, it is one step ahead of its rivals and has a chance to win the Azadegan tender,” Shahnazizadeh said.

Japanese companies have earlier encountered major obstacles in doing business in the Iranian oil and petrochemical industries.

A multibillion-yen petrochemical project by Iran-Japan Petrochemical Company came to an end in 1991 without getting off the ground due to the prolonged Iran-Iraq war.

“There is no remaining conflict between Iran and Japan from the past over Azadegan,” Shahnazizadeh asserted, noting, “We understood Inpex’s situation when they were forced to leave the project, and now they are welcome again.”

According to Shahnazizadeh, Total has already handed over a final proposal for the project, while Inpex and CNPC will submit their presentations soon.

The deal is expected to be completed around the first quarter of 2017, and the contractor will be chosen by summer.

Technical, financial and recovery factors will determine the winning bid, Shahnazizadeh said.

West Karoun oil region, which includes the Azadegan and Yadavaran oilfields, which has a 67-billion-barrel deposit of crude oil, has a contract value of some $25 billion.

About $9 billion has already been invested in West Karoun, but Shahnazizadeh stopped short of specifying how much the Azadegan contract alone is worth.

International companies started negotiations to return to the Iranian market after Iran inked a landmark deal with world powers in 2015 to modify its nuclear activities in return for an end to economic sanctions.

Only companies that Iranian authorities determine as contributing to the transfer of modern technology to Iran are recognized as ‘qualified’.

“Iran expects Japan to transfer and apply the use of modern technology in exploration, drilling and recovering to increase the rate of recovery, which is the most important criteria for Iran,” Shahnazizadeh said.

During heavy sanctions from 2010 to 2015, Iran’s oil production fell to nearly one million barrels per day. Japan nevertheless remained the third-largest importer of Iranian crude oil, after South Korea and China.

Japan was also the only country that accepted insurance risks through the period and transferred oil from Iran on its own vessels — a move that Shahnazizadeh described as ‘unforgettable loyalty’.

The Japanese government signed an investment pact in February to help Japanese companies do business there amid intensifying foreign competition.

Then in February, the government-backed Japan Bank for International Cooperation and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance gave Iran a credit of up to $10 billion.

Iranian officials said they hope political issues, especially recent changes in the United States, will not negatively impact cooperation between Iran and Japan, as was the case in 2010.

“I believe we will have a very close and friendly relations with Japan in the oil sector in the future, as long as a third party doesn’t impact our relations negatively again,” Shahnazizadeh said.

Apart from Inpex, which is the only Japanese company that has signed a memorandum of understanding in Iran’s oil upstream, five other Japanese companies are recognized as qualified to participate in downstream projects like petrochemical and refinery.

After the lifting of sanctions, Iran’s oil production increased and reached 3.5 mbd within nine months, returning to the same level as in 2011.

Oil industry officials aim to keep increasing output in coordination with multinational companies.

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Head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Gholamhossein Shafei and Swedish Ambassador to Tehran Helena Sångeland met and discussed development of economic relations as well as removal of barriers to mutual cooperation between Iranian and Swedish economic activists.

Sahfei, while recalling that the two sides began official relations in 1920, said, despite the long distance, Iran and Sweden enjoy age-old and excellent economic and political relations as Volvo and Scania companies have always provided service to Iranians.

He pointed to presence of Swedish delegations in Iran following JCPOA implementation saying “over years, Iranian traders have had good relations with Swedish counterparts and both sides are required to join hands to resolve existing banking and insurance issues.

The official voiced satisfaction towards holding a new round of Joint Commission meeting following a long hiatus; “ICCIMA, as a private sector department, will offer necessary support for reinvigoration of bilateral economic ties.”

Sahfei called for alleviation of banking and monetary restrictions expressing hope that the measure will bolster trade turnover between the two countries.

Helena Sångeland, for her part, referred to long history of economic and political relations between the two countries stressing that Swedish brands are reliable as companies like Scania carried on activities even during sanction years.

She further announced the upcoming visit of her country’s prime minister to Tehran in February saying “Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Löfven makes foreign trips only twice a year and one trip for 2017 will be devoted to Iran indicating the importance of bilateral ties with Tehran.”

The Swedish envoy expressed happiness towards emergence of new opportunities between the two countries following the nuclear deal adding “a number of delegations have been exchanged between the two sides over the past year the most significant of which was the visit to Iranian FM Zarif to Stockholm.”

The official, while recalling the visits of several Swedish ministers and officials to Iran, emphasized the need to exploit new opportunities; “reopening of Sweden’s economic center in Tehran would give way to presence of small and medium businesses for investment and joint venture.”

Sångeland went on to call for immediate removal of banking barriers though Swedish banks and firms would continue their activities in Iran regardless of existing obstacles.

“A proper mechanism exists in the Sweden’s Embassy in Tehran through which Iranians can obtain commercial visas,” highlighted the official while maintaining that certain issues still cause delays in the process.

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Jonathan Andrews, Director & Head of Eastern Underwriting in Steamship Mutual, said a considerable number of Iranian vessels have taken out insurance form our company and “we are pleased to observe return of Iranian directors to the board of one of the largest and most diverse P&I Clubs in the world.”

Prior to imposition of sanctions against Iran in 2009, Steamship Mutual, as a leading provider of Protection & Indemnity (P&I) insurance, was the main and most favorable insurer of Iran’s shipping fleet.

IRISL has purchased insurance from Steamship Mutual for container ships and multi-purpose vessels though vessels active in the field of international trade will receive top priority.

Earlier in August, during a visit to Tehran of a Norwegian delegation, a Memorandum of Understanding was inked between Iranian Shipping Lines (IRISL) and the Skuld Marine SKULD P&I Club for shipping insurance cooperation.

By virtue of this MoU, different cooperation grounds between the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and the Norwegian SKULD P&I Club including providing different types of maritime insurances, considering and pursuing complaints regarding maritime insurances coverage, training personnel and promoting the knowledge and competency of the Iranian experts were discussed and the respective mutually agreed issues were signed by both parties.

IRISL was the first Iranian shipping line to be affected by Western and European sanctions. Presently, IRISL and the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) have resume cooperation with Steamship Mutual international club in a bid to revive previous relations.

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Former Swiss ambassador to Iran, Livia Leu Agosti (L), has voiced her country’s willingness for boosting economic cooperation between Iranian and Swiss small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) portal reported.
She made the remarks in a meeting with the Chairman of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, Gholam-Hossein Shafei in Tehran on Monday.

Agosti who is the delegate of Switzerland’s Federal Council for Trade Agreements and Head of the Bilateral Economic Relations Division at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs in the country’s Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, noted that even during the west imposed sanctions the two countries did not cut the ties and Switzerland sent certain commodities like medicine and food products to Iran.

In the meeting, Shafei for his part stressed the need for development of economic ties and removing the banking obstacles between the two countries.

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