Shahid Beheshti Port / Chabahar Port
Shahid Beheshti Port is an operational port in Chabahar, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, on Iran’s Gulf of Oman coast. As one of the two main ports in the wider Chabahar complex, it serves Iran’s eastern trade corridor and supports transit access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. The terminal is operated by IPGL through IPGCFZ under a ten-year agreement signed with Iran’s PMO in May 2024, while sanctions-related operating conditions remain time-sensitive.
Strategic and market-access role
Shahid Beheshti Port is a strategic port asset in Chabahar on the Gulf of Oman. It is relevant for Iran’s eastern trade corridor, access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, regional transit, Indian Ocean connectivity, and long-term logistics diversification beyond the Persian Gulf. The port’s Gulf of Oman location gives it direct access to international waters and positions it as a maritime entry point outside the Persian Gulf. Its relevance to Afghanistan and Central Asia depends on onward transit infrastructure, including the proposed rail connection to Zahedan and the wider Iranian rail network. A ten-year agreement signed in May 2024 covers IPGL’s equipping and operation of the Shahid Beheshti Terminal.
Operations, capacity & connectivity
Related use cases
Regional transit, access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, Indian Ocean maritime trade, eastern corridor logistics, port-led development, public infrastructure projects, import and export diversification, and trade routes connected to Sistan & Baluchestan.
Capacity and service area
Capacity: Operational capacity was reported at 2.5 million tonnes per year with five functional berths as of 13 May 2024. Phase I was projected to raise capacity to 8.5 million tonnes per year through four additional berths; full four-phase implementation was projected at 82 million tonnes annually across 32 jetties. Service area: Iran’s eastern trade corridor, Afghanistan and landlocked Central Asian markets.
Connected modes
Maritime transport. Construction of the Chabahar–Zahedan railway began in July 2020 and was intended to connect the port with the Trans-Iranian Railway network; its current construction status requires confirmation.
Ownership, operation & expansion
Owner and operator
Owner: Ports and Maritime Organisation (PMO) of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Operator: India Ports Global Limited (IPGL), through its wholly owned subsidiary India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ), operates the Shahid Beheshti Terminal.
Expansion and development projects
Development remained ongoing as of 13 May 2024. Phase I was projected to add four berths and lift capacity from 2.5 million to 8.5 million tonnes per year; the longer-term four-phase plan projected 82 million tonnes annually, but completion timing was not established in the evidence.
Constraints, risk & compliance
Operational constraints
Future operating conditions require monitoring following the reported expiry of the US sanctions waiver for Chabahar in April 2024. Discussions concerning future operations were reported as ongoing; counterparties should assess applicable sanctions, banking and trade-compliance requirements for their specific activity.
Key risks and compliance considerations
Sanctions and compliance conditions may affect financing, equipment supply, shipping, insurance and counterparties. Expansion and hinterland connectivity are also dependent on project delivery; the current status of the Chabahar–Zahedan railway was not established in the evidence.
Connected Intelligence
Relevant geography, industry, market and execution context for this profile.
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions most likely to arise when reviewing this profile.
Who owns and operates Shahid Beheshti Port?
Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organisation owns the port. India Ports Global Limited operates the Shahid Beheshti Terminal through its wholly owned subsidiary, India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone.
What is the reported capacity of Shahid Beheshti Port?
As of 13 May 2024, operational capacity was reported at 2.5 million tonnes per year across five functional berths. Higher figures cited for Phase I and the full four-phase plan are projections, not reported current capacity.
Why is Shahid Beheshti Port important for regional transit?
Its Gulf of Oman location provides Iran with direct access to international waters and supports an eastern corridor serving Afghanistan and Central Asia. Its wider transit role depends on onward road and rail connectivity.
What sanctions and compliance considerations apply to Chabahar operations?
The evidence reports that the US sanctions waiver for Chabahar expired in April 2024 and that future operating discussions were ongoing. Parties should conduct transaction-specific sanctions, banking, shipping and counterparty compliance reviews.