Iraq is moving forward with the development of the Al-Faw Grand Port, a project set to transform regional trade. The General Company for Ports of Iraq confirmed that the infrastructure phase is close to completion. As well as Officials are now focusing on selecting a global operator to handle the next phase.
Farhan Al-Fartousi, the company’s director, said Iraq has invited 11 international firms to compete for the contract. These companies will bid to manage the port’s superstructure based on commercial needs, expected cargo volume, and long-term revenue.
Transport Minister Razzaq Al-Saadawi confirmed that the first phase includes five fully built piers. As well as It also features a 62-kilometer road linking the port to Umm Qasr, a 2,400-meter submerged tunnel, a ship canal, and a large container yard. Construction on these components has progressed as planned.
The Al-Faw Grand Port sits strategically on the Khor Abdallah Channel, near the mouth of the Shatt Al-Arab. This location will allow Iraq to control key shipping routes and increase access to global markets.
South Korea’s Daewoo E&C built the initial five berths. Each one accommodates container ships holding up to 23,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). So these berths represent the first major step toward transforming Iraq’s trade infrastructure.
The final vision for Al-Faw Grand Port includes 100 berths and a capacity of 7.5 million TEUs per year. So this target would surpass Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port, which operates 67 berths. As well as Once completed, the port could become the largest container terminal in the Middle East.
The government plans to finish the first operational phase by 2028. This will allow the port to process four million TEUs annually, supporting Iraq’s long-term trade goals.
The $7 billion port is part of a broader logistics corridor linking Basra to Turkey by land. In addition This corridor will offer an alternative to Egypt’s Suez Canal and could become a preferred route for goods entering Europe.
Officials see the project as a strategic investment. It will boost employment, attract foreign investment, and diversify Iraq’s oil-dependent economy. So choosing the right operator for the Al-Faw Grand Port remains a critical next step.
This decision will influence trade flow, management efficiency, and Iraq’s global logistics reputation. In addition As the project nears a new milestone, Iraq positions itself as a key gateway between Asia, the Gulf, and Europe.