A total of 15 major international shipping lines have chosen Iran’s southern Shahid Rajaei port as their port of call, an Iranian official was quoted as saying in a report.

Shahid Rajaei is currently Iran's biggest commercial port, which is directly and regularly visited by major shipping lines frequenting the Gulf, Ebrahim Idani, director general of Hormuzgan Province Ports and Maritime Department, said in an Iran Daily report, citing Press TV.
 
He added that the bulk discounts to shipping companies has reduced the final cost of entry of commodities into the Iranian port, making it more economical compared to other Gulf ports.

Idani further noted that fast loading and offloading services, and bunkering services to big vessels has turned the port into a major point of entry into Iran.

He stated that about 700,000 tonnes of goods have been transshipped through Shahid Rajaei to other Gulf ports since March 21.

In recent months, the port has turned into a major hub for shipping and transshiping activities due to suitable facilities provided by Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization to international vessels calling at the port, added the report.