October 27 - International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) has officially opened the first phase of its greenfield terminal development at the Basra Gateway Terminal in Umm Qasr, Iraq.
When fully developed, the new container and general cargo terminal area will comprise 600 m of quay and 50 ha of yard space. Total investment for the first phase of development is USD130 million.
In addition to the acquisition of new equipment and IT systems, the terminal is investing heavily in the training of its workforce.
"We are confident the new terminal area will boost efficiency and speed the movement of import and export cargo supporting the rapid growth in Iraq's economy," said Enrique K. Razon Jr, chairman and president of ICTSI.
Although the terminal expansion is focused predominantly on the container business, the Basra Gateway Terminal also has general, ro-ro and project cargo handling capacity.
Basra Gateway Terminal ceo Phillip Marsham said in February 2016: "Given the extensive terminal and supporting land areas we possess, we are keen to support our clients' needs on specialised project cargo opportunities. We are already talking to a number of companies in this respect."
Enrique K. Razon Jr, chairman and president of ICTSI, cuts the ribbon symbolising the formal opening of the Basra Gateway Terminal expansion area - the first entirely foreign financed new port infrastructure in Iraq.
