Iraq Resumes Commercial Shipping After 50 Years as Ship Departs UAE

An Iraqi-owned cargo ship departed the port of Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates today, October 21, northbound in the Persian Gulf. What makes the departure so notable is that it signals Iraq’s efforts to resume commercial shipping after a more than 50-year hiatus.

The country’s Ministry of Transport had announced at the beginning of the month the plan to restore commercial shipping. It cited the opportunities to increase the flow of goods in the Persian Gulf, along with supporting trade with the country’s neighbors. The report said the new initiative aligns with the strategic objectives to develop the country’s transport infrastructure and enhance its operational capabilities.

While the initial reports had said the service would launch in mid-month, it may have been delayed by the recent escalations by Iran. In a report put out by UK Maritime Trade Operations on October 21, it said it had been informed by a master that a tanker had been struck by an unknown projectile. It called it a late report and said the incident had happened 30 nautical miles southeast of Al Faw, Iraq. Iraqi officials have not confirmed the details.

Experts note that most cargo has been flowing overland since the start of the war. Ports in the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, outside the Gulf, have reported increases in cargo volumes as shippers sought alternatives to move cargo in the region, but the road and rail networks are lacking and believed to be strained.

This story was originally published by The Maritime Executive. Read the full story at The Maritime Executive →