Peter Bingham, who has been in Iraqi as special advisor for the CPA explained that on his arrival last year his initial views were that the ports had deep water and were generally in reasonable condition with good quay surfaces and warehouses.
They outlined the potential for Iraqi ports to provide a gateway with a three pronged trident of routes to the hinterland covering; the northwest via Syria into Turkey and beyond, to the north via Iran into Russia and to the northeast via Iran to Kazakhstan.
One of first problems the IPA faces is the complete lack of records or statistics, making planning and cargo volume forecasting difficult but as a starting point they are assuming an annual volume for planning purposes of about 60 million tons today.
WHAT THEY NEED Cargo handling equipment seemS to be top of the list with initial indications of a need for 20 reachstackers. Marine Services, VTS and security and ISPS Code compliance were close behind with a tender for the latter imminent.
One of Peter Bingham’s first tasks on his arrival was to identify a new IPA director general. Fortunately Cardiff University educated Mahmood Salih Abdul-Nabi with years of port management experience behind him, was waiting in the wings. Mahmood Salih AbdulNab explained that whilst the ports employ a total of 10,000 people, the problems of the last 20 years have left huge gaps in the management structure with virtually no middle or junior management.
Clearly selection and training is going to be a big issue for the port.
Mahmood is open-minded on the future. Subcontracting and outsourcing of services are possibilities and he is looking for large organisations that can provide both investment and consultancy to help them improve their facilities.
Iraq Ports
Summary Berths Depth Cargo Equipment Other Umm Qasr 2212.5 4xGantry Cranes (2 in repair) ! xRoro Berth, 2nd due Cargo handled Containers, break-bulk, ro-ro, construction, bulk grain and sugar.
Facilities Extensive warehousing & development land. Good Road Rail Links Khor Az Zubayr 1211 Automated handling equipment Cargo handled Containers, break bulk, iron ore, fertilisers, oil export & import Facilities Extensive warehousing & development land.Good Road Rail Links Abu Fuloos 44Traditional general cargo handling, Ro-Ro, Oil exports.
Al Basrah and Al Amaya – Offshore Oil Terminals Al Maqal (Basrah) Currently disused but extensive riverside berthing available.
Al Faw Currently disused
