Location Chabahar Port

map of iran major cities

the port of chabahar located on makran coast of sistan , baluchistan province, next gulf of oman , @ mouth of strait of hormuz. iranian port direct access indian ocean. being close afghanistan , central asian countries of turkmenistan, uzbekistan etc., has been termed golden gate these land-locked countries.

chabahar 700 km (430 mi) away zahedan, capital of sistan , baluchistan province, 950 km (590 mi) away milak, closest city afghan border, , 1,827 km (1,135 mi) away sarakhs on turkmen border.

the marine distance dubai 353 nautical miles (406 miles), karachi in pakistan 456 nmi (525 mi) , , mumbai in india 843 nmi (970 mi) . pakistan s chinese-funded deep sea port @ gwadar on makran coast, @ distance of mere 72 km (45 mi). gwadar claims provide access central asia, , comparisons between 2 ports made analysts.

because 90 percent of iran s population concentrated in western part of country, eastern part relatively less developed. iran intending change development around chabahar port, free trade zone, , road , rail links between chabahar , central asia. plan use chabahar port gateway central asia , maintain bandar abbas port, handles 85% of iran s seaborne trade, hub trade russia , europe.

the highly congested bandar abbas port not deep water port , cannot handle 250,000 ton ocean-going cargo ships. @ present, such ships dock in united arab emirates (uae) , cargo transferred smaller 100,000 ton ships onward shipment iran. makes iran dependent on uae shipments , represents loss of revenue. unlike bandar abbas, chabahar has ability handle standard cargo ships.