MIDDLE EAST

Iraq’s gateway moves forward

16 years ago

The proper start to commercial operations at Umm Qasr’s Berth 8 marks a small but significant step in the development of Iraqs infrastructure, with the mobile harbour cranes presently on their way.

The port of Umm Qasr has been central to both relief aid and rebuilding Iraq’s infrastructure

As Keith Nuttall of Gulftainer explained to Port Strategy, development of Umm Qasr – which is the largest port in the region and as such is Iraq’s gateway operation – is “now more important than ever”.

The UAE-based company has won two contracts to operate at the port. These are for the newly finished Berth 8 which is located in the South Port and Berths 10 & 11, which, when completed by Gulftainer in the middle of next year, will form the new Iraq Container Terminal (ICT).

The main handling equipment for Berth 8 is already in place with a pair of Gottwald mobile harbour cranes at present en route, and due for delivery this month.

The two ICT terminals, the largest concession yet awarded by the Iraqi Ports Authority and the Iraqi Ministry of Transport, are to have four ship-to-shore gantry cranes between them. “Clearly, the ICT as a dedicated container terminal will be able to handle larger ships more efficiently than the multipurpose berths,” said Mr Nuttall.