Overview of Liquid Bulk Cargo in Iran’s Trade Routes

Iran serves as a critical transit hub for liquid bulk cargo—encompassing crude oil, refined petroleum, petrochemicals, LNG, and chemicals—linking the energy-rich Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea and beyond via the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). This strategic position, bridging 20% of global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz with Caspian routes to Russia, Central Asia, and Europe, positions Iran as an indispensable land bridge, reducing transit times by up to 40% and costs by 30% compared to Suez Canal alternatives. By facilitating seamless multimodal transfers from southern ports like Bandar Abbas (handling 85% of seaborne trade) to northern hubs such as Anzali and Amirabad, Iran enables efficient rerouting for landlocked neighbors, enhancing regional energy security amid geopolitical shifts.

Key maritime entry points (Bandar Abbas, Assaluyeh) connect via rail and road to Caspian ports (Anzali, Amirabad, Amirabad), forming one of the shortest and most cost-effective bulk cargo routes between the Persian Gulf and Northern Europe/Central Asia.

What is Liquid Bulk Cargo?

Liquid bulk cargo refers to any liquid material transported in large volumes without individual packaging, typically loaded directly into specialized tanks, vessels, or liquid bulk containers designed for safe handling, sealing, and environmental control. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), this includes cargo carried in closed tanks and poured or pumped into the carrying vessel, distinguishing it from packaged or dry bulk goods.

Unlike breakbulk or containerized cargo, liquid bulk is handled unpackaged, relying on infrastructure like terminals, barges, and liquid cargo ships to minimize risks such as spills, contamination, or volatility. Transportation demands precise protocols: pre-loading tank cleaning, temperature/pressure monitoring (especially for cryogenic or hazardous loads), and post-discharge verification to prevent discrepancies or environmental harm.

Major Categories of Liquid Bulk Cargo Transported via Iran

Liquid bulk cargo is generally classified based on its nature, hazard level, and specialized handling requirements. The major categories of liquid bulk cargo transported via Iran are as follows:

1.Clean Petroleum Products (CPP)

Gasoline, jet fuel, gasoil/diesel, naphtha, and light fuel oils. Transported in coated or stainless-steel tanks to maintain purity.

2.Dirty (Black) Petroleum Products

Crude oil, heavy fuel oil (HFO), vacuum gas oil (VGO), and bitumen. Carried in uncoated carbon-steel tanks.

3.Liquefied Gases

• LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)
• LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas: propane, butane, and mixtures)
• Petrochemical gases (ethylene, propylene, butadiene, VCM)

Require fully refrigerated or pressurized specialized carriers and are often shipped using liquid gas tanks (LPG) depending on temperature and pressure requirements.

4.Petrochemicals & Chemical Products

• Base chemicals: methanol, ethanol, benzene, toluene, xylene (BTX), styrene
• Acids & alkalis: sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, caustic soda
• Specialty chemicals: glycols, solvents, phenol, acetone

Transported in IMO Type I, II, or III chemical tankers with segregated parcel service.

5.Vegetable Oils & Edible Liquid Fats (Clean Food-Grade)

• Palm oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, fish oil (food grade).

Require strict tank cleanliness, heating coils, and food-grade certification (FOSFA/Kosher/Halal).

6.Biofuels & Renewable Liquids

Biodiesel (FAME), hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), ethanol (fuel grade), sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

7.Non-Hazardous Industrial Liquids

Molasses, glycerine, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) liquid fertilizer, lubricating oils, base oils.

8.Specialty & High-Value Liquids (often in smaller parcels)

Fruit juice concentrates, wine, milk (rarely in very large bulk), liquid sugar, and pharmaceutical-grade liquids — usually moved in ISO tank containers and flexi tanks, especially when segregation, purity, or temperature control is required for sensitive cargo.

Key Ports and Terminals Handling Liquid Bulk Cargo in Iran

Iran’s southern and northern coastlines host a network of ports dedicated to liquid bulk operations, covering crude oil, refined fuels, petrochemicals, LNG, LPG, and chemicals. These hubs anchor most of the country’s maritime trade and connect to inland corridors such as the INSTC through rail and road.

Southern Ports

The southern region dominates liquid bulk logistics due to its proximity to major production sites and global chokepoints.

• Kharg Island: Kharg Island remains the core crude export terminal, operating loading arms for VLCCs and holding over 140 storage tanks. After 2025 upgrades, loading capacity surpassed 7 million bpd, enabling simultaneous berthing for multiple large tankers.

• Assaluyeh Terminal: Assaluyeh terminal integrated with South Pars, leads in condensate, petrochemical, LPG, and chemical exports. Upgrades in 2025 added LNG-capable cryogenic systems and expanded throughput to over 10 million tons annually via dedicated pipelines.

• Bandar Imam Khomeini (BIK): This port handles around 16.5 million tons of refined and petrochemical products each year. Its specialized jetties, chemical zones, and rail access strengthen its logistics role within the national transport network.

• Bandar Abbas – Shahid Rajaee Port: responsible for most of Iran’s maritime trade, moves petroleum products through multipurpose terminals and 40+ berths. Digital customs and tanker-handling improvements enhanced operational efficiency.

• Mahshahr Port: connected to petrochemical complexes, specializes in chemicals and LPG and expanded berths in 2024 to streamline liquid cargo movement.

Additional southern hubs include “Lavan Island” for condensate exports and “Sirri Island” with significant storage capacity.

Northern Ports

Caspian ports support INSTC routing and reduce transit times to Russia and Europe.

• Amirabad Port: expanded in 2025 for petrochemical flows and benefits from rail-linked cost reductions.

• Bandar Anzali: manages several million tons of fuels and chemicals and improved edible oil handling after 2024 upgrades.

• Neka Port: focuses on oil exchanges and LNG pilot operations.

Collectively, these 8-9 key ports managed ~150 million tons of liquid bulk in FY 2024-2025, valued at over $50 billion, driven by resilient infrastructure like IoT-monitored tanks and MARPOL-compliant green tech. Investments totaling $1 billion in Kharg and Assaluyeh by 2026 underscore Iran's diversification amid geopolitical pressures, positioning it as a pivotal energy transit bridge.

Transportation Methods and Equipment for Liquid Bulk Cargo in Iran

Iran employs a full multimodal ecosystem to move liquid bulk cargo efficiently from production fields to international markets. The combination of maritime, pipeline, rail, and road transport—supported by specialized equipment—allows Iran to handle everything from massive crude oil volumes to small-parcel specialty chemicals.

Maritime Transport

Iran’s ports handle a wide spectrum of liquid bulk cargo, from crude oil and refined fuels to chemicals, LNG, and LPG. Chemical/Parcel Tankers, MR/LR1/LR2 Tankers, VLCCs, Suezmax, and LPG/LNG carriers serve both domestic distribution to port-linked terminals and international transit flows. Southern ports like Kharg, Assaluyeh, and Bandar Abbas provide deep-water access for large vessels, while smaller southern and northern ports facilitate regional and specialty cargo movements.

ISO Tank Containers & Flexitanks

For smaller volumes or specialty liquids, ISO tank containers and flexitanks enable secure, flexible transport across Iran. They are ideal for short-distance transfers between production sites, refineries, and regional hubs, and support transshipment for international trade without relying on large tankers.

Rail Transport (Rail Tank Cars – RTC)

RTC networks connect northern Caspian ports to southern terminals and industrial zones along the INSTC corridor, reducing transit costs and time. Rail is widely used for petrochemicals, refined fuels, and bulk chemicals, serving both internal distribution and transit cargoes bound for Central Asia, Russia, and Europe.

Pipeline Networks

Major pipelines such as Goreh–Jask, Neka–Rey, and South Pars pipelines provide continuous high-volume movement of crude, gas, condensates, and chemical feedstocks. These pipelines support domestic consumption, refinery supply, and link southern and northern ports for transshipment purposes.

Road Tankers

Road transport ensures flexible delivery across Iran and to neighboring countries, including Iraq, Turkey, and Afghanistan. Road tankers are critical for short-haul distribution, regional transits, and delivering liquid bulk from production centers to ports or internal storage terminals.

Logistics and Transit Procedures for Foreign Shippers

Foreign shippers moving liquid bulk cargo through or across Iran benefit from clear, well-established procedures that have been refined over decades of transit operations, particularly along the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

1. Pre-arrival and Documentation

• Standard shipping documents: Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Certificate of Origin
• Cargo-specific certificates: IMO Dangerous Goods Declaration (for chemicals/LPG), Certificate of Quality & Quantity, MSDS
• Iranian Customs pre-declaration via the EPL system (usually 48–72 hours before arrival)
• Transit permit issued by Iran Customs (T1 equivalent) – valid up to 6 months, extendable
• For sanctioned or dual-use chemicals: additional clearance from the Ministry of Petroleum or relevant authority (typically 5–10 working days)

2. Port and Terminal Coordination

Loading/discharge slots are booked 7–14 days in advance through licensed agents or directly with terminal operators (e.g., Kharg Oil Terminal, Assaluyeh LPG Terminal, Bandar Imam Petrochemical Port). Priority berthing is available under INSTC agreements for transit cargo.

3. Transit Routes and Typical Timelines (2024–2025 actual performance)

• Persian Gulf → Caspian (Bandar Abbas/Anzali): 12–18 days total door-to-door (sea + rail/road)
• Persian Gulf → Central Asia (via Sarakhs or Incheborun): 18–25 days
• Caspian → Persian Gulf (north-to-south): 10–15 days Real-time GPS tracking and 24/7 monitoring of temperature/pressure are mandatory for hazardous liquids and provided by most terminals.

4. Payment and Banking

Since 2022, most transit fees and port charges can be settled in EUR, AED, RMB, or IRR through non-SWIFT channels (Asian Clearing Union, Russian/Iranian bilateral mechanisms, or UAE-based banks). Letters of Credit are accepted from banks in Türkiye, India, China, and the UAE.

5. Risk Mitigation

Iranian marine insurance companies (approved by the Central Insurance of Iran) offer competitive coverage for transit cargo. Many international P&I clubs continue to cover calls at Iranian ports under standard terms for non-sanctioned cargoes.

By following these established procedures, foreign shippers regularly move crude oil products, petrochemicals, vegetable oils, methanol, and LPG through Iran with predictable schedules and costs, making the country a reliable north-south transit alternative to longer eastern or western routes.

SASCO – Your Reliable Partner for Liquid Bulk Cargo in Iran

SASCO specializes in seamless transport and logistics for liquid bulk cargo within and across Iran. From maritime shipments using chemical tankers, MR/LR/VLCC vessels, and LPG/LNG carriers, to ISO tank containers, rail tank cars (RTC), pipelines, and road tankers, SASCO manages every step of the supply chain. The company ensures smooth customs clearance, coordinated port operations, and secure transit via the INSTC corridor, backed by tracking and adherence to international safety standards. Whether for domestic distribution or cross-border transit to neighboring countries, SASCO offers expertise, reliability, and tailored solutions for foreign shippers and industrial partners.