Economy News – Baghdad
The Iraqi Ministry of Transport is set to enhance maritime connectivity by establishing navigation lines with several Arab, Asian, and European nations. Additionally, the Parliamentary Transport and Communications Committee has advocated for the re-establishment of the Iraqi flag on national vessels by endorsing the Maritime Authority Law.
According to Maitham Al-Safi, the Director of the Media Office of the Ministry, the ongoing initiatives aim to expand the commercial naval fleet and improve trade routes, notably including a direct shipping route with China. This development is expected to increase the number of commercial vessels calling at Iraqi ports. Currently, the Ministry operates six commercial ships, three of which, namely Basra, Muthanna, and Al Hadba, each have a capacity of approximately 14,000 tons and are engaged in international waters. Additionally, there are services carrying thousands of tons between the UAE and Iraq for container transportation, alongside two smaller vessels providing freshwater and fuel supplies to the regional ports.
Al-Safi further emphasized that the Ministry has finalized contracts with specialized international firms to construct large-capacity vessels to meet national logistical demands, particularly for transporting goods related to the ration card system. Recently, a proposal was received from a Kuwaiti company to manufacture modern ships with advanced specifications for the General Company for Maritime Transport, which is currently under review.
Moreover, Iraq has undertaken commitments to significant international maritime agreements focusing on maritime safety, pollution prevention from ships, and overall sector organization. These agreements are crucial for lifting the international restrictions placed on Iraqi shipping operations. Efforts have been made to integrate electronic monitoring systems, train maritime personnel, and ensure that crews receive international certifications for operations on local vessels. Zahra Al-Bajari, a committee member, noted that the approval of the Maritime Authority Law is a critical step towards resuming the raising of the national flag on ships and the compliance with International Maritime Organization standards. The Parliamentary committee has completed the initial reading and is preparing for the final approval process to implement this law shortly.
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