History of the Shahbandar Port Complex
The construction of the Shahbandar Port Complex in Hormozgan Province was one of the major projects approved by Iran's High Council of Economy in the late 1960s. During the reign of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, the idea was to build a new commercial port west of Bandar Abbas, near the villages of Khon-Sorkh and Jamal Ahmad. In 1970, a contract was signed with an Italian consortium called Italco, and construction began in 1974.
After the Islamic Revolution and the bombing of Shahpour Port (now Imam Khomeini Port) by Iraqi air forces, Iran accelerated the construction of Shahbandar Port. In January 1981, Mohammad-Ali Rajaee, during a provincial visit, asked Italco to focus only on completing the essential parts of the port and to postpone other planned facilities.
The project was huge and included not only the port itself but also a six-lane highway, an airport, 5,000 residential units, a hospital, restaurants, a power plant, and even an electric train system. Because of its size and diversity, it became known as the Shahbandar Port Complex.
Just as Jebel Ali Port is considered one of the most important ports in Dubai, Shahid Rajaee Port serves as Iran’s key gateway for international trade and maritime transportation.
Introduction to Shahid Rajaee Port
Today, Shahid Rajaee Port is Iran’s most important commercial port. It plays a key role in exporting, importing, and transiting goods in the Persian Gulf region. Located 23 kilometers west of Bandar Abbas, the port connects to international waters — the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean — through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Shahid Rajaee Port connects directly to the Persian Gulf.
- The Persian Gulf links to the Gulf of Oman via the Strait of Hormuz.
- The Gulf of Oman leads into the Indian Ocean, a major route for international shipping.
Built in 1971 and originally called Bandar Abbas Port Complex, this port became a backbone for Iran’s non-oil economy, especially because of its connection to railroads, highways, and proximity to the Strait of Hormuz. In 2024, exports from Shahid Rajaee Port reached 87 countries, bringing in $8.9 billion in revenue..
Geographical Location of Shahid Rajaee Port
Thanks to its strategic location by the Strait of Hormuz, millions of tons of goods are transported through this port every year. Its direct access to Iran’s road, rail, and sea networks makes it one of the busiest ports in both Iran and the Middle East.
- The port handles over 100 million tons of cargo each year.
- It manages 55% of Iran’s non-oil trade and 70% of container trade.
- It has specialized docks for containers, bulk goods, and oil products.
- It connects directly to the national railway, major highways, and Bandar Abbas Airport.
- It is located next to the Strait of Hormuz.
What Goods Are Exported or Imported Through Shahid Rajaee Port?
A wide range of goods is handled at Shahid Rajaee Port, including:
- Petrochemical products
- Minerals
- Industrial goods and machinery
- Agricultural and food products
- Various containerized shipments
Capacity and Facilities of Shahid Rajaee Port
Although the most recent detailed data is from 2012, at that time Shahid Rajaee Port covered an area of over 2,400 hectares, including operational zones and hinterlands. It had the capacity to handle more than 88 million tons of cargo annually. The port traded with 80 international ports and had 30 global shipping lines operating there before the 2011 sanctions reduced its international connections.
Iran has other important ports like Imam Khomeini Port, Bushehr Port, Chabahar Port, and Anzali Port, but Shahid Rajaee remains the largest and most well-equipped, handling a major share of the country’s non-oil trade.
