A Guide to Iran's Major Commercial Ports

Iran's geography gives it two coastlines — the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman in the south, and the Caspian Sea in the north. Choosing the right port for your lane is a quiet but real lever on cost and speed.

Bandar Abbas (Shahid Rajaee)

By far the country's largest container port, handling the majority of Iran's seaborne trade. If you import containerised goods from Asia, Europe or the Gulf, they most likely arrive here. Deep berths, the widest carrier coverage, and the best onward trucking network.

Chabahar

Iran's only oceanic port, on the Gulf of Oman outside the Strait of Hormuz. Its strategic value is the North–South Transport Corridor linking the Indian Ocean to Central Asia and Russia. Growing capacity makes it increasingly relevant for India–Iran–Afghanistan trade.

Bushehr

A Persian Gulf port serving the country's south-west and a useful alternative for certain bulk and general cargo lanes, easing pressure on Bandar Abbas.

Bandar Imam Khomeini

At the head of the Persian Gulf near the Iraqi border, strong for bulk commodities — grain, fertiliser, steel — and well placed for the industrial south-west.

The Caspian ports: Anzali and Amirabad

In the north, Bandar Anzali and Amirabad handle trade with Russia, Kazakhstan and the wider Caspian basin. For goods moving overland from Russia or Central Asia, a northern port can dramatically shorten the route versus sailing all the way to the south.

Choosing a port

Your trade lane	Usually best
Asia / Europe / Gulf containers	Bandar Abbas
India / Central Asia corridor	Chabahar
Bulk commodities, SW Iran	Bandar Imam Khomeini
Russia / Caspian basin	Anzali or Amirabad

The right answer depends on where your goods originate, what they are, and where they are headed inside Iran. Cargo365's network covers all the major gateways — submit your shipment and let vetted shippers quote the best routing. Get a quote.