Iran plans to further boost its shipbuilding capabilities and compete with leading global firms in the industry, said a senior official from Iran Shipbuilding and Offshore Industries Complex Co (ISOICO).

ISOICO has drawn up a five-year plan to achieve a ranking among the world's top five shipbuilders, Hamid Rezaian Asl, managing director, ISOICO, was quoted as saying in an Iran Daily News report, citing Fars News Agency.

He said that the plan will create a breakthrough in the shipbuilding and ship maintenance industries.
 
ISOICO is currently the sole shipbuilding company in the region which builds and repairs ships of various scales, Rezaian Asl said.

His remarks followed the signing of an agreement between ISOICO and Dutch IHC shipbuilding company to cooperate in sharing engineering and technology services.

Asl added that based on the agreement, the two sides will cooperate in sharing engineering, technological, equipment supply and manufacturing services.

He noted that equipment repair, filling engineering service vacuum and engine manufacturing will be among the other points of cooperation.

He also said that the Netherlands has a very strong shipbuilding industry and can upgrade the potential of ISOICO.