Dubai-based ferry operators said they will operate services to Iraq as long as demand exists. Two companies, Naif Marine Services and Al Thuraya Marine Services, operated four weekly voyages to Umm Qasr until March 20, the day U.S. and British forces attacked Iraq.

The services were resumed on Tuesday by Naif with 340 passengers on board. The port of Umm Qasr is undergoing reconstruction after it was damaged in the war.

The passengers include a team of officials from Naif to gain further clearance for regular services. They are expected to meet new officials in charge of the port.

Ferry services to Umm Qasr were launched by Naif in November 1998 after the company received approval from the United Nations to carry passengers and limited cargo. It has conducted 483 voyages so far with a five vessels, including three owned by the company, called Jabal Ali 1, 2 and 3.

A few years later, Al Thuraya became the second operator to start services to Iraq.
This opened a second communication line to the sanction-hit Iraqi people, suffering from the UN embargo after Iraq attacked Kuwait in 1990.

The other communication link was via land through Iraq-Jordan border, in the absence of commercial aviation services.

Once commercial flights to Baghdad resume in a few weeks, passenger demand for ferry services is expected to decline. Till then both operators are expected to benefit from the traffic. Officials of both companies, however, said passenger demand would not fall.

"I don't think traffic will fall. It might decline a bit but will come back, as this service offers a better and cost-effective alternative to people," said Essa bin Hadher, commercial director of Naif.

"We might also connect cities and towns in Iran, Bahrain and Qatar for future passenger services as the Gulf has a high potential for growth in ferry services. Southern Iranian provinces are a growing market for us and we will add those into our network."

Dr. Mohammed Hamdan, managing director of Al Thuraya, which owns and operates Manar, said, "We are also going to resume our services to Iraq, once we get permission from the new authorities there. However, we need to be sure of the situation them.

"The demand for passengers will not decline as there will always be a good demand for cost-effective ferry services. We will continue to serve the people," he added.