The  History of IR-PSO
(Iraninan Ports & Shipping Organization)

• 1914
  The maritime administration of iran dates back to 1914, at that time a department called “south customs branch” was established at the port of bushehr.
  
  
• 1927
  On feb. 6th the control and administration of the port of anzali on the northern part of the country was transferred by the russian government to iran .  
  
  
• 1928
  After completion of tehran- khorramshahr highway the port of khorramshahr in the southern part of the country gained great importance and its sea trade began to develop.
  on feb. 4th in order to manage the affairs of the ports of the country the “general directorate of ports” was established in which all the affairs of ports were concentrated  
  
  
• 1938
  In jan. cabinet approved the “port regulation” which had been formulated and recommended by the ministry of roads
  
  
• 1946
  In aug. 26th, according to the decree of the council of ministers, the revenue from operating port facilities was to be collected in special fund for the development of port facilities.
  
  
  
• 1949
  The “general corporation of ports and shipping” took the place of the “general directorate of ports”.
  
   
  
  
• 1952
  On may 28th, a decree comprising 18 articles for registration and utilization of vessels was approved by the cabinet.
  based on these regulations, using vessels in domestic and coastal waters was dependent on their registration and issuance of their certificate of registration in one of the iranian ports.
  
   
  
  
• 1959
  Following an agreement reached between the ministry of roads and the ministry of customs & monopolies, “general agency of ports and shipping” was transferred from the ministry of roads and transportation to the ministry of roads and transportation to the ministry of customs & monopolies.
  
   
  
  
• 1960
  On may 25th, the title of the “general directorate of ports and shipping” was changed to “ports and shipping organization” and its responsibilities and functions were expanded.
  
   
  
  
• 1964
  On oct. 31st, the maritime law of iran including 914 articles was put into effect.
  
  
  
• 1966
  On jul. 3rd, 1966 the present ports and shipping organization together with its staff, budget, and properties was separated from the ministry of economy and finance.
  
   
  
  
• 1969
  On feb. 2nd, the organization gained the status of a legal entity and its functions, rights, and organizational chart were formally declared.
  
  
  
  
• 1970
  In 14 jun and 28 jul, internal regulations on financial transactions and on the employment of staff on the organization were approved respectively the organization was separated again from the ministry of finance and was transferred to the ministry of roads and transportation in 1974.
  

THE FUNCTIONS OF PSO

1. Administration of ports as well as commercial maritime affairs of the country.
2. Construction, completion, and development of buildings, repair yards, and related equipment in ports and their utilization.
3. Preparation, formulation, and enforcement of port, maritime, and commercial shipping regulations according to respective laws.
4. Regulation of pilotage subject to the approval of the supreme council of the organization.
5. Administration of loading, discharging, and handling of cargo in port areas and warehousing in the ports of the country (in those where the organization has a department or branch)
6. Administration of telecommunications networks (radio, telegraphy, telephone, teletype, etc.) at sea and on land for making contact with vessels and affiliated ports as well as preparation and supply of related equipment in cooperation with the ministry of post, telegraph, and telephone.
7. Through control of coastal and commercial shipping and striving to develop they and securing safety of traffic and taking every action needed to advance or develop commercial and coastal shipping activities.
8. Erection and operation of navigational lights and buoys to secure the safety of maritime traffic.
9. Registration of iranian commercial, cruise and other vessels and implementation of related regulations.
10. Granting technical certificates of maritime competency to seamen and vessels according to related regulations.
11. Collection of port and river duties and charges for loading, warehousing, and other port dues normally collected by pso or other government organizations on behalf of pso.
12. Putting into effect the iranian maritime law and performing the functions which are laid down in the law establishing the pso and other related laws.
13. Determining the manner and rate of exploiting port facilities and equipment as well as movable and immovable properties of the organization and implementing the decisions taken subject to supreme council approval.
14. Conducting studies and researches on maritime and port affairs as well as commercial navigation.
15. Preparation and formulation of the next years plan as well as long-term plans to be implemented after approval by the supreme council.
16. Examination of draft international agreements and treaties concerning port and maritime affairs, and commercial navigation in order to present them to the relevant authorities.
17. Membership in international organizations related to port and maritime affairs subject to approval by the supreme council and the islamic parliament.
18. Participation in international conferences and meetings concerning port and maritime affairs.
19. Determination of free zones, if necessary and formulation of regulations and conditions of their use subject to the agreement of the supreme council and approval by the islamic parliament.
20. Control of railways from the point of entrance into the port areas to the point of exit from the port, and possessing wagons motives to open storage areas and sheds.
21. Establishment of training institute for pilots or those engaged in commercial navigation, and sending students abroad to study in specialized courses which the organization deems necessary.
22. Issuing permits to construct berths or other installations or equipment while approving the relevant plan and reserving the right to monitor the construction and operation.
23. Issuing permits for establishing offices, seamen’s clubs, restaurants, and other necessary facilities upon the request of authorized persons.
24. Transferring part of the tasks of the organization the performance of which by the private sector is deemed to be advantageous, to the qualified private bodies.
25. Taking measures to reduce freights for the transport of cargoes to iranian ports, and expediting the process of loading and discharging cargo, and reducing the waiting time of vessels to support the economy of the country. governing authorities of the organization are as follows:

a)    The supreme council,
b)    The board of directors,
c)    The managing director.

www.ir-pso.com