Port Overview

Imam Khomeini port is located in the north-western end of the Persian Gulf, the port spans an extensive area of 11,000 hectares, offering ample space for port operations and infrastructure development. The port access is through Khoor Moosa natural channel without the need for artificial breakwaters.
It boasts impressive facilities, including a total warehouse area of 522,000 square meters and a wharve area spanning 2.1 million square meters. The port's container terminal has a substantial capacity of 700,000 TEUs, making it a significant hub for containerized cargo handling.

With 40 berth posts extending over a total length of 7 kilometers, Imam Khomeini Port provides extensive berthing space for vessels of varying sizes. The port's berths offer an average depth of 13.5 meters, ensuring accessibility for deep-draft vessels and efficient cargo handling operations. Additionally, the port features a comprehensive internal railway network spanning 120 kilometers, facilitating seamless cargo movement and connectivity between different port facilities.

 

Port Website: Website of the Port of Imam Khomeini

Key port information may also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com

 

Port Location and Contact
Country	Islamic Republic of Iran
Province or District	Khuzestan
Nearest Town or City with Distance from Port	Bandar Mahshahr city 23 (km), east of Basrah.
Port's Complete Name	Bandar Imam Khomeini (BIK)
Latitude	30.44861
Longitude	49.07528
Managing Company or Port Authority	Imam Khomeini port authority
Management Contact Person	Mr. Aboutaleb Geraylou
Nearest Airport and Airlines with Frequent International Arrivals/Departures	Mahshahr, Abadan and Ahwaz air ports at the distance of 18 km , 100 km , 110 km respectively.

Port Picture

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

Name of Company	Website	Tel	Fax	Physical address
Imam Khomeini Port Authority	https://bikport.pmo.ir/en/home	+98-(615)228 2020	+98-(615)228 2021	Khuzestan Province-Imam Khomeini special economic zone port  P.O.BOX:6357173691
Petro Bar Co.	https://petrobar.ir/	+98(615) 228 2920	+98(615) 228 5716	No.210, Tohid Building, Bandar Imam Khomeini Port Complex, Iran.

 

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List.

Port Performance

Seasonal Constraints
	Occurs	Time Frame
Rainy Season	Yes	November to April
Major Import Campaigns	No
Other Comments

 

Handling Figures for 2023
Vessel Calls
Container Traffic (TEUs)	118,198

 

Handling Figures Bulk and Break Bulk for 2020
Bulk (MT)	42,491,554
Break bulk (MT)

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For information on port rates and charges, please refer to Iran PMO website. 

Berthing Specifications

Type of Berth	Quantity	Length (m)	Maximum Draft (m)	Comments
Conventional Berth	35	5,153	10 - 14
Container Berth	5	1,050	11-13
Silo Berth	n/a	n/a	n/a
Berthing Tugs	11
Water Barges	3

For further information on Berthing Equipment and Specifications, please select the following document:

Iran Port of Imam Khomeini Additional Information

General Cargo Handling Berths

Cargo Type	Berth Identification
Imports - Bagged Cargo	12
Exports - Bagged Cargo	12
Imports and Exports - RoRo	2
Other Imports	n/a

For further information on General Cargo Handling Berths, please select the following document:

Iran Port of Imam Khomeini Additional Information

Port Handling Equipment

Is the port equipment managed by the government or privately? 

The port is handled through following private logistics companies as port terminal operators.

• Gulf Agency Co.
• Kaveh Marine Co.
• Bonyad Barandaz Co.

 

Equipment	Available	Total Quantity and Capacity Available	Comments on Current Condition and Actual Usage
Dockside Crane	Yes	48	Capacity varies from 15 to 90 tons.
Container Gantries	Yes	4	40 ton capacity
Mobile Cranes	Yes	15	Capacity varies from 25 to 550tons.
Reachstacker	Yes	3	45 ton
RoRo Tugmaster (with Trailer)	Yes	154	35 tons
Grain Elevator with Bagging Machines	n/a	n/a
Transtainer	Yes	5	40 tons
Forklifts	Yes	115	Capacity varies from 5 to 30tons.

Container Facilities

The container terminal was established in 1976 and is considered to be one of the most important terminals at BIK Port. It has 5 berths with a total length of 1050 meters and an average draft of 11 - 13 meters. The container yard (CY) area is equipped by transtainer capable of an arrangement of 6 containers in width and 4 in height with a designated access way for load and discharge.

 

Facilities	20 ft	40 ft
Container Facilities Available	Yes	Yes
Container Freight Station (CFS)	Yes	Yes
Refrigerated Container Stations	Yes	Yes
Other Capacity Details
Daily Take Off Capacity (Containers per Day)	300
Number of Reefer Stations (Connection Points)	300
Emergency Take-off Capacity	n/a
Off take Capacity of Gang Shift (Containers per Shift)	n/a	n/a

Customs Guidance

At Imam Khomeini Port, customs formalities are crucial in ensuring the smooth flow of import and export processes while maintaining compliance with port and customs regulations. Upon arrival of cargo, the tally crew meticulously inspects and registers the status of received and exported goods. Any deficiencies in packaging are duly noted in the tally report. If necessary, packages are opened and inspected by the tally crew, cargo owner, or their agent for re-packing.

To facilitate the release and delivery of cargo from warehouses and open storage yards, a customs release permit issued by the customs authority is mandatory. Holders of the release permit must have official authorization on behalf of the cargo owner during the cargo release process. Cargo owners or their agents must adhere to port and customs regulations and utilize appropriate vehicles for cargo transport. Cargo owners or their agents are responsible for arranging the immediate transport of cargo upon receiving the release permit. Delays in transport may result in cargo being discharged from vessels and delivered to warehouses or open storage yards at the expense of the cargo owner or their representative.

Once the cargo is released and transferred out of the port terminal, the cargo owner or agent assumes full responsibility for the cargo's safety and integrity. It is essential to exercise utmost care and attention during cargo receipt and transfer, as the port authority bears no responsibility after the cargo is released to the owner.

 

For more information on customs in Imam Khomeini Port (BIK), please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information. 

Terminal Information

MULTIPURPOSE TERMINAL

Imam Khomeini port has dedicated terminals as following.

• The bulk & direct transport terminal,
• The transit silos terminal,
• The construction material terminal,
• The Behran Oil Terminal,
• The Mehvar Talaie Storage Terminal,
• THE Container Terminal

 

GRAIN AND BULK HANDLING

Imam Khomeini port has a grain and bulk terminal. The port does not have a bagging terminal but it has a grain handling terminal.

The transit silos terminal was constructed for the rapid speed in grain operation with the 75,000-ton capacity and special advantages. The silos include the open yard storage area with a capacity of 170,000 tons. The terminal includes 30 silos with a total capacity of 30,000 tons, 5 single silos with a total capacity of 37,500 tons, and an open yard storage area with a capacity of 7,500 tons. the silos are equipped with 2 powerful on-loaders, 2 suction systems for the silo’s surface vacuum, and vertical & horizontal belt conveyor systems to transport 3000 tons/hour grain.

MAIN STORAGE TERMINAL

Imam Khomeini Port has 710,000 square meters of open-storage area and 250,000 square covered -storage (hangar) area.

For further terminal information on the Port of Imam Khomeini, please select the following document:
Iran Port of Imam Khomeini Additional Information

 

BONDED STORAGE (STORAGE AVAILABLE BEFORE CUSTOMS)
Storage condition	Number of Storage Facilities	Total Area (m²)	Total volume (m³)	Handling requirement
Open air		710,000
General cargo (indoor)		250,000
Bagged Cargo
Temperature controlled (15 to 25 °C)
Keep Cool (2 to 8 °C)
Freezing Temp (minus 25 to minus 15°C)
Ultra cold-chain temp (minus 80 to minus 60°C)
Narcotics Cage

 

Stevedoring

Stevedores oversee cargo transfer from vessels to port facilities using cranes and handling equipment. Once unloaded, cargo is stored temporarily in warehouses or storage areas before dispatch. Common modes of transport include trucks, trains, and barges, facilitating cargo movement to its final destination.

Several companies, such as The Gulf Agency Co., and The Kaveh Marine Co. are involved in cargo handling and transportation operations.

Name of Company	Website	Tel	Fax	Physical address
Gulf Agency Co. (GAC)	https://www.gaciran.co/	+98-(21)222 54752-5	+98-(21)22254759	Tehran Province, between Naft and Modaress highway, P.O.BOX: 1918933863
Kaveh port and maritime services Co.	https://kavehlogistics.com/imam/	+98-21-28153000	+98-2122220759	Imam Khomeini Port

 

Hinterland Information

The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of Imam Khomeini Port covers an area of 11,044 hectares, lying in the extreme northwest of the Persian Gulf and at the end of the natural waterway of Khormusa, which is 42 nautical miles long, 250 meters wide, and 20 meters deep in average, providing a safe environment for various types of shipping liners and oil tanker vessels through the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean.

Port Security

The security measures at Imam Khomeini Port are comprehensive, encompassing physical security measures like perimeter fencing and surveillance cameras and strict protocols for cargo handling and personnel safety. Trained security personnel conduct regular patrols and inspections to monitor activities and respond promptly to security threats.

 

Security
ISPS Compliant	Yes
Current ISPS Level (Level 1 = Normal, Level 2 = Heightened, Level 3 = Exceptional)	1
Police Boats	Yes
Fire Engines	Yes

 

For further terminal information on the safety and environmental affairs of the port of Imam Khomeini, please select the following document:

Iran Port of Imam Khomeini Additional Information