Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) has made its first ship call to Korea. Its cargo ship, ABBA which entered Masan port on 28 March, is classed with Korean Register. ABBA is the first Iran-flagged ship to have made a ship call to Korea, since the lifting of the sanctions.

To celebrate its arrival in a Korean port, KR held a welcome ceremony for the vessel. Many guests attended and celebrated the occasion including 

Mr. Choi Young Soon, director of Port Logistics Divison of Masan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries, Mr. Zahmatkesh, president of IRISL, Captain Bonyadi, master of ABBA, Mr. Lee Hyung-Chul, E.V.P. of KR and Mr. Lee Jeong-kie, E.V.P. of KR.

In the welcoming address, Mr. Lee Hyung-Chul said “On this occasion of ABBA’s first call at Masan Port, we hope to strengthen the friendship between both KR and IRISL, but also between Korea and Iran.

KR established its branch office in Tehran in 2010, and since that time has worked to build beneficial business relationships across the Iranian maritime industry by delivering expert technical assistance, surveys and audits.

Based on the trust that has been built so far, KR is now actively carrying out its business in Iran, as the country emerges as a new global market. KR has started to class 27 vessels, representing approximately two million GT of IRISL’s fleet and has signed an MoU to establish a plant certification joint venture company with the Iranian Classification Society. 

source : http://www.krs.co.kr/kor/VSDotNet/KRS_WEBZINE/Page/02/en/sub/sub.aspx?num=5108