STRATEGIC AND OPERATION PLANNING FORREDUCING PORTS VULNERABILITY FACING THREATS

Due to the type of imported and exported commodities, Iran has a significant dependency on import some commodities, including cereals and some basic commodities. The inappropriate distribution of imports through the ports and importing essential goods from one or two ports will lead to high vulnerability in the case of threat occurrence and have national adverse consequence. In addition, in recent years, some of the Iranian ports have been moved towards the development and creation of third-generation ports, which has led to the build of warehouses, conversion facilities, specialized warehouses in the port and hinterland. However, it should be noted that the aggregation of infrastructures in one location will increase the overall vulnerability of complex and causes significant adverse effects for the country as a result of the threats occurrence [1].Currently, more than 90% of the country s commodity exchanges are transported through sea routes and ports, and among the 17 ports belong to the Iranian Ports andMaritime Organization, nearly 85% of the volume of goods exchanges is performed only through two ports, and 15% of exchanges goods are delivered through the remaining 15ports [2]. Other issues in this area are the import of essential goods and its relation to the ports. While the country has a high dependence on some of the essential commodities, such as oilseeds and edible oils as well as cereals, the import of these items from one or two ports leads to vulnerability in the case of threat occurrence. Atpresent, a large amount of the Iran s essential goods are imported only from one port and if this route stopped will result in adverse consequences in the supply chain andvarious sections and rise in prices for basic goods [3]. Moreover, the development of third generation ports and the creation of warehouses and conversion industries in thehinterland will lead to the accumulation of installations and goods and increases the stand time of goods in the port. On the other hand, in the absence of appropriate strategies atthe national level, the accumulation of certain industries in an area, make vulnerable target facing the threats. Sanctions are one of the other issues that have alwaysaffected various parts of the country s economy in recent years [4]. The Sanctions is one of the threats of ports and shipping lines, which have had various impacts on portsand maritime in recent years. Considering these issues, adopting appropriate strategies for port development could lead to a general reduction in vulnerability of ports [4]. InFigure 1, the subject of the vulnerability of ports is summarized.