TEHRAN- The Minister of Transport and Urban Development, referring to the elimination of cumbersome processes and the continued breaking of records at ports, emphasized the need for smart management of the Strait of Hormuz and a revision of port cooperation with neighboring countries.

According to a report by IRNA on Thursday from the Ministry of Transport and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, during a meeting with members of the board of directors of the Ports and Maritime Organization and a webinar with port managers across the country, highlighted the importance of the Strait of Hormuz and stated: "Smart management of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the legal regime related to this strait, are important issues that must be addressed."

Sadegh added: "A portion of the Islamic Republic of Iran's interactions with neighboring countries in this region pertains to shared waters and maritime issues, which are directly related to the missions of the Ports and Maritime Organization."

Need to revise port relations and cooperation with neighboring countries

The Minister of Transport and Urban Development also commented on the effects and consequences of the war on regional relations, stating: "In the type of interactions and relations with neighboring countries, revisions are necessary, and some approaches must be adjusted according to the new circumstances."

Referring to her trips to Pakistan, she continued: "We do not consider the port of Karachi as a rival to the port of Chabahar, but the manner of interaction and cooperation between these ports, as well as the maritime and land connections between them, must be designed in such a way that they serve as a support for the development of the country's ports, especially Chabahar."

Sadegh also highlighted the importance of the country's northern ports and said: "Port and transport relations with neighboring countries in the north of the country must also be addressed with a new approach and redefined within the framework of diplomatic and transport relations."

Process reform and strengthening coordination within the ministry 

In another part of her speech, the Minister of Transport and Urban Development emphasized the necessity of reforming certain executive processes and stated: "Some of the processes that existed in the field of ports and cargo clearance, through reform or redefinition, have led to the recording of new records in this area."

She added: "Some of these issues relate to the government and supervisory bodies, but part of it also relates to internal coordination within the Ministry of Transport and Urban Development and the communication between different sectors of this ministry."

Sadegh continued: "The connection of the Ports Organization with the Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization, the Railway Company, and the Construction and Development of Transport Infrastructure Company of the country are among the issues that must be pursued with greater coordination and synergy."

Emphasizing the strengthening of a spirit of empathy within the Ministry of Transport and Urban Development, she said: "During the war, we witnessed the formation of empathy and cooperation among the various sectors of this ministry, which must continue to be strengthened."

The Minister of Transport and Urban Development further noted the performance of ports during the US-Zionist imposed war, stating: "During this period, records were set in the field of port activities that had not been achieved even in normal conditions beforehand. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and reform the cumbersome processes that prevented such achievements under normal conditions."

She added: "These records were broken during the 12-day war as well as the Ramadan War. We must strive to ensure that the same approaches and methods are considered for the path forward."

Necessity of documenting wartime measures

Sadegh then emphasized the necessity of documenting measures taken during the war and said: "During the war, due to the special circumstances, it was not possible to fully narrate the actions taken, but this documentation must be done."

She added: "This documentation, in addition to providing a performance report, can also serve as a valuable experience for future managers so they can understand what measures were devised under those circumstances."

This member of the 14th government's cabinet, while appreciating the efforts of managers and staff at the northern and southern ports, referred to the special circumstances of ports during the war and stated: "In all ports of the country, especially in the southern ports which faced greater pressure, the performance of managers and staff was very brilliant. At a time when the geography of the ports faced numerous pressures, effective and important measures were taken to continue providing services."

The Minister of Transport and Urban Development emphasized: "The efforts and coordination made at the country's ports ensured that services to the people in the field of supplying and transporting essential and non-essential goods continued without disruption, and even in the most remote parts of the country, the least problem was observed in this regard."

At the end, while once again thanking the managers and staff of the Ports and Maritime Organization as well as the country's port managers, she said: "The presence of managers and officials alongside the staff during the war played an important role in boosting the morale and encouragement of colleagues. Cooperation and empathy within the Ministry of Transport and Urban Development ensured that services to the people continued without interruption even under difficult circumstances."

EF/MA