The Iraqi Port Authority is planning to build four new berths at Umm Qasr port in Basrah province.

The plans are in the early stages and the location of the berths has not yet been finalised, although sources close to the port authority say that it will have to be built on a greenfield site close to the existing port facilities.

Sources also say that any companies that wish to carry out the work will have to build the entire terminal and provide the financing.

The plans are still in the early stages and the location of the berths has not yet been finalised

Source close to Iraqi Port Authority

Iraq also upgrading Umm Qasr port. In May Kuwait’s Global Logistics Services and Warehousing Company (Glow) won a concession to operate berth 5 (MEED 6:5:10).

Berth 5 is for container handling and Glow will operate the berth for three years.

Sharjah’s port operator Gulftainer is also operating berths 8, 10 and 11. Gulftainer has almost completed the construction of berths 10 and 11, which will form the Iraqi Container Terminal when finished.

Umm Qasr is currently Iraq’s only deep-water port.

Iraq is also planning on building a new dry port in Basrah that will support operations at the planned $6bn Great Faw port.

Italy’s Impregilo is currently leading a consortium that is carrying out the design of the new port. It is expected to take 15 months to complete the design work.