Iranian Embassy announces launch of Iran-Venezuela direct shipping route

Iran's Embassy in Caracas has announced the official launch of a direct shipping route between the Islamic Republic and Venezuela to enhance trade ties amid US sanctions.

In a statement on Friday, the embassy said the route seeks to support traders in both countries.

Appreciating the efforts of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), the mission said a cargo ship will leave Iran for Venezuela every three months.

The IRISL said last week that the third ship carrying Iranian goods will head to Venezuela in May. 

Iran and Venezuela have improved relations in various fields in recent years.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro made an official visit to Iran in June 2022, inking a 20-year partnership agreement aimed at improving bilateral cooperation in various fields such as technology, agriculture, oil and gas, petrochemicals, tourism as well as culture.

On June 12, 2022, Iranian Ambassador to Venezuela Hojatollah Soltani described the direct shipping lane as a "lost chain" in ties between the two states. The diplomat said it could lead to a "major transformation" in bilateral relations. The economies of Iran and Venezuela are complementary as Venezuela is in need of home appliances, petrochemical products, raw materials, medicine, and medical equipment, all of which are being produced in Iran, he said, adding that Venezuela has a great capacity in agriculture.

SS