ASTRAKHAN, October 25. /TASS/. Iranian investors made the decision to create a shipping company in Astrakhan, Governor of the Astrakhan Region Igor Babushkin told TASS in an interview.

"IRISL [the Iranian state shipping company - TASS] is investing huge funds in development of PJSC Astrakhan Port, where the controlling block of shares belongs to the Iranian business. For purposes of shipping development, Iranian founders made the decision to create Astraport Shipping company. The Astrakhan port awarded a contract to the Lotos shipyard to complete construction of a RSD 49 project bulk carrier to the amount over one billion rubles ($10.7 mln). Her construction is scheduled to be completed in March 2024," the governor said.

Investors plan to purchase two more ships and Iranian investments in development of the Astrakhan port are over 600 mln rubles ($6.4 mln), Babushkin noted. Partners have construction of grain and oil terminal in their plans.