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Iraq advances Umm Qasr Port upgrades: The Iraqi government is looking to quadruple capacity at Umm Qasr port as part of an ongoing project to revamp one of its main ports on the Arabian Gulf, Shafaq News reports. The upgrades — divided between UAE’s Gulftainer and China’s Lurin Investment — will see the port add new berths, advanced storage yards, digital and customs systems
Who’s doing what? China’s Lurin Investment will develop berths 22, 23, and 24 and work on expanding RoRo terminals and rear storage areas, Shafaq News reports, citing an Iraqi engineer. Berths under Lurin’s purview will extend over 550m to add 850k containers to the terminal’s capacity and accommodate refrigerated, empty, and general cargo handling. Certain berths and storage zones upgrades will be handled by Gulftainer — whose terminal at the port spans 450k sqm and comprises refrigerated warehouses, around-the-clock customs, and security services.
About Gulftainer: Sharjah-based regional port operator Gulftainer has a portfolio spanning many terminals including Jubail Commercial and Jubail Industrial ports in Saudi Arabia, Iraq’s Umm Qasr Port, and Florida-based Canaveral Cargo Terminal in the US, according to its website. The firm operates the Umm Qasr Logistics center, as well as Iraq South Terminal on berth four, which it began operating in 2018 in tandem with local Iraqi outfit Manarat Umm Qasr, according to its website.
Iraqi ports have depth problem: Shallow depths hamper progress at Iraqi ports, which have not been deepened in some 40 years, transportation expert Basel Al Khafaji told the news outlet. “Ships are limited to 25k tons due to shallow docking zones… Deepening to 20–25 meters is essential for accommodating larger vessels and increasing import volumes,” Al Khafaji said.
About Umm Qasr Port: The multipurpose port has 21 operational berths across three port zones — namely Umm Qasr South Port, North Port, and Umm Qasr Mid Port, according to the Arab Sea Ports Federation. Certain portions of the port are dedicated to moving and storing grain and oil, among other goods, with cold storage capabilities. Notable port operators Gulftainer and France’s CMA CGM are active in the complex.
