Qatari maritime transport and logistics company Milaha has launched a new direct Upper Gulf Service (UGX) to transport goods between GCC countries and Iraq’s Umm Qasr port, according to a statement. The service will operate two vessels weekly between the ports. There was no indication as to when the service will begin operating.

The details: The new service will connect Umm Qasr port in southern Iraq to Kuwait’s Shuwaikh port, Oman’s Sohar port, Qatar’s Hamad port, and the UAE’s Jebel Ali port. The two vessels will have a capacity of 1015 TEUs, and 90 reefer plugs, according to Milaha(pdf). Although there was no indication as to what goods will be transported back and forth, reefer plugs indicate that there will be room for refrigerated containers or cargo on board the vessels.

Background: Milaha first launched their direct container feeder service between Qatar and Iraq in 2018, with only one 1015 TEU vessel and 110 reefer plugs. The service had a transit time of two days, and transported dry and refrigerated foods, construction materials, consumer electronics, among other cargo. The expansion into Iraq stemmed from the high demand of the existing Qatar-Kuwait service, former CEO of Milaha Abdulrahman Essa Al-Mannai was quoted as saying at the time.

About Milaha: Founded in 1957 in Qatar as a shipping agent, Milaha currently offers integrated transport, 3PL, and offshore services. The company has a presence in 120 ports, and 90 vessels in its fleet.

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