Iranian grain importers are struggling with financial obstacles that have left a number of chartered panamaxes at anchor for months with grain and soybean cargoes.

Shipowners in the Iranian grain import trade have had their laden ships idle off the western Iranian port of Bandar Khomeini for up to five months.

Eastern Mediterranean Maritime (Eastmed) — the international shipowner currently most heavily involved in carrying Iranian agricultural imports — has seen ships begin to move since the beginning of last week.