Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., South Korea's No. 2 shipping line, on Monday said it will expand its routes linking the Middle East and the Asian region, as part of efforts to capitalize on a surge in shipping demand following the lifting of sanctions on Iran.

The shipper said it will mobilize a total of 12 container ships on two separate shipping routes.

So far, the shipping line has been operating just one route between the Middle East and Asia.

Hyundai Merchant said it expects its market share for the Middle East-Asia route to rise to 13 percent from the current 8 percent.

International sanctions on Iran were lifted earlier this year, providing global companies with a chance to tap deeper into the country. (Yonhap)