The Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line (IRISL) is planning to launch a direct container route to Brazil, according to a businessman with knowledge of the matter.

Hamed Ghaderi, a member of the Iran-Brazil Joint Chamber of Commerce, said on Monday that the launch of a direct shipping route between Iran and Brazil will be a major positive development in trade ties between the two countries.

Ghaderi said the IRISL�s decision to set up offices in Brazil could help Iranian exporters and businesses to expand their presence in the Brazilian market, Press TV reported.

�Given the correspondences and efforts carried out, we hope this could happen in July,� Ghaderi said.

Iran and Brazil have trade ties that amount to billions of dollars per year. Brazil is a major supplier of corn and beef to Iran while Iran supplies petrochemicals, including highly-needed urea shipments to Brazil�s agriculture sector.

The IRISL has sought to expand its routes in recent years in line with Iran�s efforts to boost its foreign trade and cargo transit revenues and as the country seeks to diversify away from crude exports.

The state-run company has launched offices in Russia and India as part of programs to activate the International North�South Transport Corridor, a route that passes through the Iranian territory.

By Mehr