BRUSSELS (IRNA) -- One of Iran’s major shipping enterprise, the Bonyad Shipping Company (BOSCO), is to start from November 1 a container service from the Belgian port of Antwerp to Iran and vice-versa.

BOSCO will be represented in Belgium through its general agent, Naviran.

Due to the importance of Antwerp as the hub for general cargo and container shipment in Western Europe, especially for Iranian shipping, BOSCO has decided to centralize its European operation center in Antwerp, Reza Najd Javadipour, president of Naviran said.

BOSCO has signed an agreement with MSC Belgium, the North European base of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the second-largest container carrier in the world.

BOSCO’s container services will be operational in the form of a NVOCC (Non-vessel operating common carrier) ensuring a regular service for MSC.

BOSCO, which operates 450 companies in Iran, through its new container service, can help in transporting goods from Europe and vice-versa to Afghanistan, Iraq and the Central Asian countries via Iran, said Javadipour.