Iraq’s underwater tunnel construction reached its final stages in Basra as officials confirmed that the massive project is nearly complete. The tunnel will connect the Al-Faw Grand Port with the Umm Qasr transit route and strengthen Iraq’s transportation infrastructure.
The General Company for Ports of Iraq announced that the project had achieved nearly 95 percent completion. Technical teams continue final preparations before authorities officially open the tunnel for regular traffic movement.
Farhan al-Fartousi, director of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, supervised a large public test operation at the site. Hundreds of vehicles crossed through the tunnel during the trial phase without major issues.
Officials said the tunnel is now technically ready for use. Engineers are currently completing operational systems and final engineering details before the official launch.
The Iraq underwater tunnel forms part of the broader al-Faw Grand Port development project in southern Iraq. Authorities consider the port one of the country’s most important economic and trade initiatives.
Government officials also linked the tunnel to the Development Road project, which aims to connect Iraq with regional and international trade routes. The transportation corridor extends nearly 1,200 kilometers from southern Iraq toward the Turkish border.
According to project data, the tunnel consists of ten connected sections with a total length of 2,444 meters. Around 1,226 meters of the structure runs underwater beneath the Khor al-Zubair Channel.
Reports indicated that engineers built the tunnel nearly 30 meters below sea level. The route later rises toward the highway network connecting southern provinces with Baghdad and other Iraqi cities.
The Iraq underwater tunnel will significantly reduce travel and transport distances in the region. Authorities said the route shortened the transportation distance from more than 170 kilometers to nearly 63 kilometers.
More than 150 Iraqi engineers participated in the project alongside specialists from South Korea, Italy, and the Netherlands. Iraqi teams gained practical experience in advanced underwater engineering and tunnel construction techniques during the development process.
Officials described the project as a major achievement for Iraq’s infrastructure sector and transportation strategy. Analysts believe the tunnel could strengthen cargo movement, support regional trade, and increase Iraq’s role in international shipping routes.
The al-Faw Grand Port and Development Road projects remain central parts of Iraq’s long-term economic plans. Authorities expect the new infrastructure to create investment opportunities and improve trade connections between the Gulf region, Iraq, and Europe.