ICTSI has approved the second development phase of the Basra Gateway Terminal (BGT) in North Port, Umm Qasr, Iraq.

The company has signed an expansion agreement for the USD100m phase, which will see two new berths developed, incorporating a 20-hectare yard area to raise the annual BGT container handling capacity by 600,000 teu to a total of 1,200,000 teu.

Enrique K. Razon Jr, chairman & president of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), which manages the terminal, said: Our commitment to provide international standard port facilities and services in Iraq is plain to see.”

10,000 teu capacity

New berths 25 and 26 will be equipped with quay and landside container handling systems to enable them to handle container vessels of up to 10,000 teu.

Combined with the adjacent recently redeveloped Berth 27, they offer a continuous berthing line of 600m and 50 hectares of yard area.

The new container handling systems will work in conjunction with advanced terminal operating systems.

Immediate start

BGT will immediately begin construction of the berths, which are due to be completed in 18 months’ time.

Hans-Ole Madsen, senior vice president of Europe, Middle East and Africa at ICTSI, emphasised: “The new berths will, through both capacity expansion and the installation of modern infrastructure and handling systems, open the door to even higher levels of efficiency.”

Mr Razon Jr added the new facilities are essential to support Iraq’s key economic objectives, including the resurgence of the non-oil economy.