Baghdad – INA
The General Company for Ports of Iraq announced on Tuesday that North Umm Qasr Port received 80 vessels during June, including several ultra-large cargo ships.
In a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the Acting Director of North Umm Qasr Port, Mohammed Taher Fadel, said that the number of vessels handled during June increased to 80 ships, surpassing May, when the port received 66 commercial vessels.
He added that among the largest vessels received was the KCL cargo ship, which arrived directly from Chinese ports and successfully berthed at Berth No. 18 at North Umm Qasr Port without the need for an intermediary port.
Fadel noted that the arrival of this class of ultra-large vessels marks a strong return of major international shipping lines that had previously suspended direct calls at the port. He said the resumption of these services demonstrates the port's operational readiness and the capability of its logistics infrastructure.
He further stated that the port's berths are preparing to receive two to three additional large-capacity vessels within the next 48 hours, a development expected to strengthen trade stability and facilitate the continued flow of goods through Iraq's principal maritime gateway.
Fadel also pointed out that the port is currently experiencing a steady flow of vessels arriving from a range of regional and international destinations, particularly shipping routes from the United Arab Emirates (via Jebel Ali Port), Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, in addition to several direct international shipping services.