Iran launches first domestically-built oil tanker

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran has launched its first domestically-built oil tanker, the Tehran Times daily reported on Wednesday.

The first of four oil tankers to be built for the Venezuelan state oil company (PDVSA) by Iran entered the Persian Gulf waters on Tuesday, said the daily.

The Aframax, capable of carrying 75,000 barrels of oil, was built in two years by the Iranian Marine Industrial Company (SADRA) .

The oil tanker will be delivered to PDVSA by late September, the SADRA managing director Salman Zarbi was quoted as saying.

The construction of the Aframax is the first export of Iran regarding shipbuilding activity and Iran will continue to attract more customers, said Zarbi.

Each of the four tankers cost some $52 million, he said.

The other three will be built in the coming months as part of a 2007-signed contract with Venezuela, said Tehran Times.