Accomplishments: Seaport
As important components of Iraq's economic infrastructure, the Umm Qasr Seaport and Iraq's airports are critical focal points for receiving goods, including humanitarian assistance. Effective port operations and the reconstruction of Baghdad and Basrah airports will allow food and other humanitarian and reconstruction materials and personnel to be delivered smoothly and efficiently. Transportation rehabilitation is the first step in providing assistance and restarting economic growth, allowing for importing and exporting and the transfer of people-helping to reconnect Iraq to the World.
A Bechtel survey boat is lifted from the service boat at Umm Qasr, Iraq's only deep-water port. (Photo: Graeme Robertson/Getty Images) |
- Reopened to commercial traffic June 17; first passenger vessel test completed July 16.
 - The first bulk cargo grain ship to arrive at Umm Qasr, finished unloading 52,000 tons of grain on November 14. The newly refurbished grain-receiving facility moved the grain from the ship to dockside silos without major problems.
- Umm Qasr port resuming normal port operations, in October:
- 27 ships entered the port and were processed by the Port Authority.
- 84,844 metric tons of food was unloaded from World Food Program ships (rice and sugar)
- 1800 containers unloaded onto the port
- 18 Roll-on Roll-off ships were received
- 46.5 metric tons of goods were unloaded from smaller "dhow" vessels.
- Emergency wreck removal and dredging operations are completed, allowing for all 21 berths to be available for deep-draft ships. Two Iraqi dredgers will maintain the harbor.
- Completed renovation of grain-receiving facility, which can process up to 600 metric tons of grain an hour.
- Port tariffs were applied on June 20, opening the way towards financial sustainability for port operations.
- Generators have been installed, energizing all three 11-kV ring mains and restoring power to most parts of the port.
- Work is complete on security fencing at the old and new ports and grain facility.
- Container and Roll-on Roll-off cargoes, such as cars and trucks, are arriving.
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