Officially launched: First shipping line connecting Iraq’s Umm Qasr port with the UAE’s Rashid port
Officially launched: First shipping line connecting Iraq’s Umm Qasr port with the UAE’s Rashid port
2025-12-25 00:30
Shafaq News – Basra
The General Company for Iraqi Ports, affiliated with the Ministry of Transport, opened today, Thursday, the first shipping line linking the port of Umm Qasr in Basra Governorate in the far south of the country with the Emirati port of Rashid.
The first ship docked at Umm Qasr port, having sailed from Rashid port on December 17, according to a Shafaq News Agency correspondent.
With the opening of this sea route, the first shipment of TIR (Transportation Carrier) vehicles arrived at the port of Umm Qasr, in a move aimed at boosting trade and reducing sea transit time.
The line was inaugurated in the presence of the Assistant Director General for Technical Affairs at the General Company for Iraqi Ports, Chief Engineer Abdul Sada Khalaf, representing the Director General of the Company, Farhan Al-Fartousi, and a number of department directors in the company, in addition to representatives of supporting ministries and bodies.
In this regard, the Assistant Director General for Technical Affairs at the company said in a speech he delivered during the opening ceremony, “The new line operates with a crossing time not exceeding (36) hours, and with a capacity of up to (145) accompanying trailers on each trip.”
He added that “the arrival of the first shipment of goods loaded onto trucks via this route represents the beginning of a new phase in the development of maritime transport services at Umm Qasr port, and provides a direct and fast option for transporting goods with driver accompaniment, thus reducing reliance on land transport.”
Khalaf explained that “the line is not limited to serving the Iraqi market, but also opens a logistical corridor linking Iraq to neighboring countries, including Jordan, Syria and Turkey, through existing land transport networks, which enhances Iraq’s position as a regional transit hub.”
He also noted that the company had completed the operational and technical arrangements at Umm Qasr port some time ago to ensure the smooth handling of (Ro-Ro) shipments, pointing out that “the line will support bilateral trade between Iraq and the UAE, and raise the efficiency of supply chains in the region.”
The launch of this maritime shipping line is expected to enhance regional shipping routes and give Basra a pivotal position in trade connectivity between countries in the region, via a route faster than traditional land routes.
A few days ago, an informed Iraqi source told Shafaq News that “the new service will rely on the $50 million roll-on/roll-off vessel (DP World Express), which is capable of accommodating 145 trailers per trip,” indicating that “the trip will shorten the 10-day journey between the UAE, Turkey and Oman to only 36 hours via the port of Umm Qasr.”
For its part, the General Company for Iraqi Ports welcomed the launch of the new maritime line, considering it a supportive step for the role of Iraqi ports in enhancing regional trade connectivity, and an important contributor to rapid transport capabilities, thus giving Basra a more effective position in the movement of goods between the Gulf and the countries of the region.
The company’s general manager, Farhan Al-Fartousi, told Shafaq News Agency: “The new service represents an important addition to the capabilities of Iraq’s ports in the field of handling (Ro-Ro) vehicles and developing fast maritime transport options,” explaining that “the line will contribute to reducing reliance on land transport, accelerating the arrival of goods, and providing direct solutions for transporting trailers with driver escorts.”
Al-Fartousi added that “the company is working on preparing the operational requirements at Umm Qasr port to ensure the smooth flow of service,” noting that “the new line will support bilateral trade between Iraq and the UAE, raise the efficiency of regional supply chains, and enhance the competitiveness of Iraqi ports.”
shafaq.com
