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Iraqi port traffic doubles as threats ease
Imports at Iraq's main port have doubled since April, a result of the government's crackdown on Shiite militias in Basra province, port officials said.
- Reuters
- Published: 00:07 July 9, 2008
Umm Qasr: Imports at Iraq's main port have doubled since April, a result of the government's crackdown on Shiite militias in Basra province, port officials said.
The Umm Qasr port, entry point for 80 per cent of Iraq's imports, is running at full capacity, with container ships having to double bank at the investment-starved facility's 22 berths, the officials said.
With insurance rates for ships entering Umm Qasr among the world's highest, port officials hope the calm since the Iraqi army's sweep against Shiite militias including the Mehdi Army of powerful cleric Moqtada Al Sadr will hold.
Key commodities such as wheat, sugar and rice are shipped in through Umm Qasr. Oil exports flow through different ports.
"Our goal is to make this port competitive with the ports in neighbouring countries, like Kuwait," said Assad Disher, manager of Umm Qasr's north terminal, which handles containers.
"We need time. It's not easy to make it happen."
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