MIDDLE EAST

New Basra super port mooted

15 years ago

Iraqs Transport Minister has announced that a tender will be issued by the end of this year for a multi-billion-dollar port south of the city of Basra.

Iraq's mega-port plans have attracted much international attention

Investors from Austria, France, Germany, Italy and the United Arab Emirates are said to be keen to help finance Grand Faw Port. An Italian company, Technital, has been contracted to undertake the final design.

The aim is to use the port to send containers overland by rail to destinations in Europe, which it claims would be quicker than sending them by ship through the Suez Canal.

An initial phase of the port is due to be completed by the end of 2013. A second phase would allow the entire planned complex to be in place within four years. A total of 7,000 m of quay are planned for containers and 3,500 m for general cargo. The project is expected to cost €4.5bn ($6.4bn).