Shiva Shkeri - M.Sc. of Maritime Transport, Khoramshahr Marine Science and Technology University (KMSU),khorramshahr,IRAN,
Homayoun Yousefi - Assistant Professor from faculty of Economic and Maritime Management, Khoramshahr Marine Science and Technology University (KMSU),khorramshahr ,IRAN,
Damoon Razmjooei - Lecturer of maritime management group, Marine Science and Technology University (KMSU) khorramshahr,IRAN.
Mohammad Amin Kouhbor - Lecturer of economic group, Marine Science and Technology University (KMSU),khorramshahr,IRAN

The present research has been conducted to identify and prioritize the inveterate strategies for managing empty containers which are available at Khorramshahr port by using of SWOT analysis and QSPM approach. This study has been performed at two stages. Firstly, Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of Khorramshahr port for empty container management were identified by aid of managers at khorramshahr port and it’s container terminal as well as, the manager of Khorramshahr agency of shipping container company Hoopad Darya .Secondly, possible strategies for managing empty containers att Khorramshahr port were prioritized by employing Delphi technique and QSPM approach.The results of research indicates the priority of shipping lines and port strategies as following: 1.Completing Shalamcheh dry port and private yards for shipping lines outside and around khorramshahr port. 2. Land transportation of empty container to Imam khomayni port and loading them on larger ships in this port. 3. Leasing container to other active shipping lines in country and moving empty containers in Khorramshahr port by other shipping lines. 4. Exerting 30 days free warehousing for decreasing costs of shipping lines and improving empty container repositioning. 5.Identifying capacities and solutions in province by ports and shipping organization of khorramshahr for attracting and encouraging cargo owners to export their cargoes from this port to reduce imbalances between import and export and achieve to higher export and marketing planning for distributing empty container by head shipping offices and at last 6.Sale of containers

Empty container, Khorramshahr container terminal, Imbalances, SWOT, QSPM