Chinese Company Participates in Construction of Iraq's Largest Port, Nearing Completion

Recently, according to a report by People's Daily Online, the first phase of Iraq's largest port, the Al-Faw Port, constructed with the participation of Chinese enterprises, is nearing completion. The Iraqi government is preparing bidding documents and plans to invite 11 international port operators or logistics companies to participate in a joint operation tender.

Located at the southernmost tip of Iraq, Al-Faw Port is the starting point of Iraq's "Development Road" infrastructure plan. It is set to become a world-class port with a handling capacity of nearly 100 million tons. The first phase of the project is scheduled to become operational this year, with an annual handling capacity of 45 million tons. From Al-Faw Port, Iraq will invest $17 billion to build a railway and a highway directly connecting to Turkey.

CCCC Tianjin Dredging Co., Ltd. undertook the construction of the port's foundation trench, basin, and channel dredging works, with a total dredging volume of 106 million cubic meters. Wu Lin, project manager of CCCC Tianjin Dredging for the Al-Faw Port project, stated that the foundation trench has already passed inspection, while the dredging progress for the basin and channel has reached 98% and 96%, respectively. The project is expected to be fully completed in October.

Farhan Fatoush, General Manager of the Iraqi Ports Company, emphasized that Al-Faw Port is not just a port but a critical node for Iraq's access to global trade and its participation in the Belt and Road Initiative. In an exclusive interview with People's Daily Online, he mentioned that an Iraqi delegation had previously visited ports in China, the UAE, and other countries to study and learn about port operation experiences. "We visited four ports in China and learned how they contribute to connecting trade between the East and the West. We hope to apply these technologies and experiences to Al-Faw Port," Farhan said. He added that once operational, Al-Faw Port will significantly reshape regional trade and serve as a pivotal point for Iraq's economic diversification. It is reported that Iraq plans to adopt a joint operation model for the first phase of the project.