According to Mehr News Agency, the port of “Shahid Rajaei” located in Bandar Abbas, as Iran’s largest and most advanced commercial port, plays a vital role in the country’s import and export of goods. Given the strategic location of this port near the Strait of Hormuz and its connection to railway and road transport networks, any disruption in its operation could have widespread impacts on the country’s supply chain.
Direct connection to the country’s railway and road network, proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, and high transit capacity have turned Shahid Rajaei Port into a vital hub for regional and international trade of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This port, with specialized docks and advanced equipment, is considered one of the main strategic points in the country’s macroeconomic and development policies.
As mentioned, Shahid Rajaei Port, as the largest and most advanced commercial port in Iran, holds a significant share in the country’s transit goods. With over 53% of cargo unloading and loading operations in the country’s ports, this port plays a key role in Iran’s foreign trade. However, an examination of official statistics shows that Shahid Rajaei Port’s share in the import of essential goods is very low.
This contradiction between the strategic position of this port and its low share in supplying essential goods became a hot topic in the media and social networks hours after the explosion incident at the container depot of this port.
On Saturday, April 26, 2025, this important port witnessed a huge explosion that resulted in the death and injury of hundreds of people. The incident occurred around noon in the container area of Shahid Rajaei Port, and field reports from the site of the explosion have not reported containers containing essential goods, as most essential goods are imported in bulk and the Sina port area is mainly dedicated to containerized goods.
Given the key role of Shahid Rajaei Port in the supply chain of goods, there are concerns about the economic repercussions of the incident. Possible disruptions in the export and import process, increased logistical costs, slowing down the supply chain of domestic industries, and reducing the country’s transit capacity are among the potential consequences of this incident.
8% share of essential goods imports from Shahid Rajaei Port
However, the important point here is that according to the report and studies by the Customs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the share of Shahid Rajaei Port in the total imports of essential goods is only 8% . Because more than 58% of the imports of essential goods into the country are through Imam Khomeini Port.
According to this report, last year more than 25 million 354 thousand tons of various essential goods entered the country, of which only 2 million tons were allocated to Shahid Rajaei Customs.
Imam Khomeini Port is the main port for importing essential goods
In line with examining the essential goods process in the country with regard to the Bandar Abbas explosion incident, Abbas Haj Ebrahimi, a senior expert in maritime transport, stated in an interview with Mehr News Agency: Essential goods, which are imported as consumer goods for the people, are mainly imported in bulk to the ports, and Imam Khomeini Port is known as the main port for importing bulk goods. Shahid Rajaei Port and Shahid Bahonar Port have approximately one-third of the share in essential goods imports.
He stated that Shahid Rajaei Port’s share in essential goods imports is about 10 to 15% , and said: Most essential goods come through Imam Khomeini Port. Some essential goods are imported as raw materials or semi-finished goods, which come through containers to the ports. These types of goods usually require processing and might be imported from Shahid Rajaei Port.
The stoppage of Shahid Rajaei Port; warning for increased final prices of goods
Haj Ebrahimi stated: One cannot say that all essential goods are imported in bulk. Some of these goods, such as canned goods or packaged raw materials, are imported through containers, which require processes. It’s important not to assume that if containers are disrupted, there is no problem. While they are commercial goods, they will show their impact on the market in the coming months.
Necessary formation of a logistics crisis headquarters; a step forward in time against Iran’s trade
The maritime transport expert continued: What is necessary is for customs and the port to urgently take the necessary actions to resume their activities within the next 10 to 30 days. A logistics crisis headquarters should be established at ports and customs with special authorities for crisis management. This headquarters must perform the necessary actions without needing complicated bureaucratic processes. Otherwise, stopping port and customs activities and not entering ships on the water to ports could result in billions of dollars in damages.
The change of Iranian ships’ routes to foreign ports; will cause damage
He added: Ships may be forced to change their routes and transfer goods to other ports such as Jebel Ali, which will bring additional costs for the owner of the goods, including storage and transportation costs. Also, this crisis, in addition to financial damages to port equipment and container terminals, some of which are very costly, especially for specialized workers and experts, this incident can result in serious injuries that are impossible to evaluate.
This official said: Perceptions like using ports for storing and transporting any kind of goods are incorrect. Dangerous goods should usually be stored in designated locations, but the intensity of the explosion and fire resulting from some of these goods can have a wide impact on other goods.
He emphasized: Any negligence in storing these goods could cause serious incidents. This crisis clearly shows that port logistics and refueling operations for various goods that may pose risks such as explosions, fire, and destruction should be managed more carefully.
He said: Changing ship routes, changing transport routes, transferring goods or using ports in regional countries will increase the final costs of products and goods, and in the coming months, we will witness a severe economic decline. Even over the past few days, from yesterday to today, we have witnessed an increase in the price of currency and gold which will undoubtedly have a very significant effect on the country’s economy in the coming months.
Haj Ebrahimi stated: With regard to the import of essential goods, it should be said that if these goods are in bulk, about 10 to 15% of them will face problems because bulk cargo is usually imported to Imam Khomeini Port, and only a small portion is allocated to Chabahar Port and other ports like Bushehr. Imam Khomeini Port is the country’s main port for importing various grains, fertilizers, phosphates, and other bulk goods with ships ranging from 21,000 to 50,000 tons capacity.
He continued: The main share of Shahid Rajaei Port is in containerized cargo and commercial goods, and its stoppage in the medium and long term will have an impact on all goods. I hope safety and planning for port logistics and crisis management are such that future damages are minimized. Although the occurrence of such incidents is not impossible, adhering to standards can reduce damages.
This maritime transport expert reminded: Considering that two days have passed since the incident, yet accurate statistics on the extent of damage to equipment, warehouses, and machinery have not been announced, but existing images show a large part of administrative buildings have been damaged. From a physical construction perspective, container terminals, especially a few specific ones, are almost destroyed or need major repairs.
He said: Although accurate statistics of damages have not yet been announced, according to initial observations, hundreds to approximately thousands of vehicles, including heavy trucks, haulers, and cranes, have been damaged and returning them to the economic cycle may take months. Even some equipment, which costs several million dollars, may be out of use for a period of one to two years.
Haj Ebrahimi stated: Shahid Rajaei Port operates more precisely and with more planning compared to other ports, but there might be shortcomings in some sections that can affect other sections.
30% negative impact on port and customs economic activity
He clarified: The ports’ work system is not such that they can be completely shut down, as various activities are carried out at the ports. However, key economic sectors that have a direct impact on the country’s economy will certainly be affected. With the limited information obtained in the past two days, it is predicted that there will be negative economic impacts on the flow of goods, movement of trucks, wagons, ships, and the process of importing and exporting goods for at least 10 to 30 days.
This maritime transport expert concluded: The exact extent of damages depends on supplementary information and official statistics expected to be provided by the responsible organizations as soon as possible.
Imam Khomeini Port tops essential goods imports
According to Mehr, based on the official reports from the Ports and Maritime Organization, in the year 1402, the total volume of goods transited from Iranian ports was about 158 million tons, of which 24 million tons were dedicated to essential goods. Shahid Rajaei Port’s share of these 24 million tons is estimated at only 988 thousand tons, equivalent to only 4% of the total imports of essential goods in the country.
According to this report, most essential goods are imported through other ports such as Imam Khomeini Port with a 57% share and Amirabad Port with a 13% share. Given the provided statistics, the claim of “the small share of Shahid Rajaei Port in essential goods imports” is true , because despite this port’s role of more than 50% in the country’s goods transit, its share in essential goods imports is less than 5%.
It should be noted that the mentioned topics indicate that although Shahid Rajaei Port is a vital artery for Iran’s maritime trade, it does not play a key role in supplying the country’s essential goods.
The share of essential goods imports in the country’s ports (1402) is as follows;
| Port Name | Capacity (Million Tons) | Share (%) |
| Imam Khomeini | 13.8 | 57 |
| Amirabad | 3.1 | 13 |
| Lengeh | 1.5 | 6 |
| Anzali | 1.2 | 5 |
| Nowshahr | 1.0 | 4 |
| Shahid Rajaei | 0.98 | 4 |
| Other Ports | 2.4 | 10 |
News code: 6448110
Source: Mehr News Agency
