Iran and Qatar have opened a new direct route connecting the southern Iranian port cities of Bushehr and Doha, Qatar.

Freight and passenger liner companies are using a ro-ro ship named Grand Ferry.

Siavash Arjmandzadeh, Bushehr's Maritime Director, said: "The first permanent Iran-Qatar route opens this week and the ship plans to leave Bushehr once a week for Doha, Qatar. This ship can carry goods and passengers at the same time."

He went on to say that the first voyage should be August 2, but there was a problem filling up the ship, and we wanted passengers on board at the same time.

The Director-General of Port and Maritime Affairs of Bushehr Province concluded that the Bushehr-Qatar ferry arranged a round trip of four to five days at a cost of between $200 and $500, depending on the type and level of the hotel.

Bushehr is 200 miles from Qatar and takes 12 to 20 hours depending on the speed and weather conditions of the ship.

Iran has recently established or restored several sea tourism routes, which are expected to contribute to tourism. Tourism has become a victim of the foreign exchange crisis caused by sanctions.