Iranian Ports Set to Boost Maritime Travel During Nowruz Celebrations

With an unwavering commitment to safety standards and enhanced service quality, the PMO has released a detailed report aimed at providing a secure and enjoyable maritime travel experience during the holiday season. This initiative is especially relevant as the demand for maritime travel surges during Nowruz 2025.

The report outlines significant developments in the maritime passenger fleet, safety measures, workforce welfare, and special initiatives for ticketing services. Let’s delve into these aspects to understand how they will contribute to a seamless travel experience.

Expansion of the Maritime Passenger Fleet

In accordance with the Nowruz 2025 Maritime Travel Facilitation Plan, the Minister of Roads and Urban Development has mandated the addition of two new passenger vessels to the Shahid Haghani Port fleet in Bandar Abbas. These vessels will have a combined capacity of 540 seats.

• A total of 100 vessels will be deployed, including:
• 47 passenger ferries
• 50 landing crafts
• Additionally, 150 service boats will be on standby.
• Key ports will also see reinforced maritime transport capacity to meet the expected increase in demand.

Emphasis on Safety and Maritime Travel Standards

The Deputy Minister of Transport and Acting Head of the PMO has reiterated the importance of passenger safety, declaring that any negligence will not be tolerated. Key safety measures include:

• Thorough technical inspections of passenger vessels.
• Conducting maritime search and rescue drills.
• Stationing emergency response teams and service personnel at major ports to assist during the holiday operations.

All vessels are required to adhere to safety regulations and secure technical approvals before commencing operations.

Focus on Workforce and Occupational Health Standards

During a recent managerial meeting at the PMO, Saeed Rasouli highlighted the significance of workforce welfare, emphasizing the improvement of employee working conditions. The adherence to Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) standards at ports nationwide is a key focus this Nowruz. Specialized training sessions have been organized for operational and service personnel to ensure compliance.

Special Initiatives for Ticketing Services

To facilitate smooth travel during Nowruz, a round-trip ticketing system has been introduced for high-traffic routes, particularly from Shahid Haghani Port to Hormuz and Qeshm islands. This initiative aims to:

• Prevent congestion at ports.
• Deploy 1,300 support personnel and 150 vessels nationwide to ensure passenger safety and guidance.
• Enhance travel experience through new amenities at several ports.

Chabahar Port’s Readiness for Nowruz Maritime Tourism

Chabahar Port is prepared to offer extensive services from March 15 to April 4, featuring:

• 355 personnel on site.
• 14 rescue vessels.
• 60 tourism boats positioned at 11 coastal tourism stations along the Makran Coast.

Search and rescue operations will remain on full alert to ensure maritime safety during the holiday period.

Coordination Meeting on Maritime Tourism Safety in Astara

A coordination session focused on maritime tourism safety measures was conducted at Astara Port, attended by representatives from various agencies. Important resolutions included:

• Stricter safety inspections for vessels.
• Permitting boat operations only under favorable weather conditions.
• Installation of safety banners to inform tourists.

Approximately 2,700 boats and 13,412 tourists are expected to visit Astara during Nowruz 2025.

Enhancing Maritime Tourism Safety in Gilan

During a coordination meeting in Gilan, measures for improving maritime tourism safety were discussed, including:

• Dredging of high-traffic routes.
• Regular vessel safety inspections.
• Installation of safety banners and distribution of informational brochures.
• Addition of a specialized search and rescue vessel to the province’s fleet.

Amirabad Port’s Preparations for Nowruz Maritime Travel

Amirabad Port is taking proactive measures by forming special task forces and signing agreements with maritime operators. Search and rescue drills have been conducted to ensure safe maritime travel for Nowruz. Rescue vessels and technical oversight teams are on standby, while public awareness campaigns targeting unauthorized vessels are also in progress.

Western Hormozgan Ports on Full Alert for Nowruz 2025

Western Hormozgan ports are fully prepared for the Nowruz 2025 maritime travel season. Preparations include:

• 29 vessels deployed, comprising:
• 17 landing crafts with a total vehicle capacity of 740.
• 12 passenger vessels with 1,615 seats.
• Search and rescue teams, technical inspection units, and four specialized rescue vessels are on full standby.
• An operational plan running from March 13 to April 14, ensuring continuous vessel monitoring and strict adherence to safety standards.
• Distribution of 1,000 safety brochures and 100 safety banners across western Hormozgan ports.

Maritime Tourism Plan in Bushehr Ports

Bushehr’s Nowruz maritime tourism plan will be implemented from March 14 to April 4, focusing on:

• Stringent safety controls for vessel operations.
• Prohibition of unauthorized vessels.
• Enforcement of compliance with designated piers and life jacket usage.
• Clear delineation of recreational maritime routes, restricting operations to a maximum of two nautical miles from the shore.

Golestan Ports’ Readiness for Nowruz Maritime Travel

Golestan ports are implementing special measures to ensure safety for Nowruz maritime travelers, with a focus on:

• Safety across piers, vessels, and maritime routes.
• Stationing rescue vessels at Turkmen and Bandar-e-Gaz ports.
• Conducting search and rescue drills to enhance preparedness.
• Establishing real-time meteorological and maritime data exchange between Golestan and Amirabad ports.

Enhancing the Quality of Nowruz 2025 Maritime Travel

The PMO is dedicated to not just ensuring safe maritime travel but also enhancing infrastructure to improve overall travel quality. Collaboration with key entities such as the Meteorological Organization and the Navy will further bolster maritime safety, offering travelers a secure and enjoyable experience during Nowruz 2025.