Iran to Review Northern Coastal Development Plans Amid Caspian Sea Retreat

PMO News Portal, Tehran — The Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) has announced a comprehensive review of all coastal development projects in Iran’s northern provinces, following the receding water levels of the Caspian Sea. The initiative, led by Saeid Rasouli, Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development and Managing Director of the PMO, aims to align development strategies with new environmental and coastal conditions to ensure sustainable maritime growth.

According to the PMO, the review will be based on comparative technical and environmental studies and is considered a critical step for the long-term utilization of the Caspian’s maritime capacities. Parallel to this, plans are underway to expand maritime transport capacity in the northern ports once infrastructural and operational challenges are resolved.

Rasouli’s Visit to Golestan and Mazandaran

Last week, Rasouli visited the Golestan and Mazandaran provinces, where he inspected major coastal and port facilities including Gomishan, Bandar-e-Gaz, Bandar Torkaman, Gorgan Bay, and Nowshahr Port. The two-day visit was accompanied by senior PMO officials and provincial authorities.

Rasouli emphasized Golestan’s pivotal role in Iran’s national maritime development strategy, highlighting its 100-kilometer coastline and strong investment potential. He stressed that Golestan is set to become a key player among Iran’s seven coastal provinces, as the government continues to prioritize maritime-based economic growth.

He also confirmed that updated studies are being conducted to adapt to Caspian water-level changes and pledged to boost the province’s marine tourism, shipping, and fisheries sectors through targeted infrastructure investment and private-sector partnerships. “We are fully prepared to utilize all organizational capacities to attract investors and accelerate coastal development,” Rasouli stated, assuring that upcoming decisions would bring “good news” for local communities.

Sustainable and Environmentally Responsible Growth

Rasouli underscored that all future development projects will adhere to strict environmental guidelines and be based on expert ecological assessments, emphasizing the government’s commitment to sustainable development that balances economic progress with environmental protection.

Accelerating Nowshahr Port Development

During his visit to Nowshahr Port, Rasouli reviewed ongoing operations and development projects, calling for faster implementation of infrastructure and equipment upgrades. He pointed to the Nowshahr Special Economic Zone as a key driver of Caspian Sea trade and urged effective use of PMO’s technical and human resources to remove operational barriers. Strengthening inter-agency coordination and promoting private-sector participation were also identified as top priorities.

Local Support and Economic Impact

Abdoljalal Eiri, Member of Parliament for Bandar Torkaman, hailed the visit as a major step toward maritime-driven economic transformation in Golestan. He said that enhanced cooperation between the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development and the PMO will help improve employment, trade, and economic stability in the province.

Toward a Maritime-Based Economy

Observers described Rasouli’s visits as action-oriented rather than ceremonial, reflecting the 14th Government’s commitment to advancing Iran’s maritime economy agenda. With vast untapped coastal potential, Golestan and Mazandaran are expected to emerge as new commercial and logistics hubs along the Caspian coast.

Projects such as a proposed dry port in Golestan are projected to facilitate north-south cargo transit and generate thousands of jobs, supporting both regional and national GDP growth. Experts believe that the swift implementation of recent agreements could mark a turning point in sustainable development for northern Iran, driving real economic transformation across the country.