ICTSI unveils phase 1 of Iraq terminal project

Global port operator Inter­national Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) recently opened the first phase of its new greenfield terminal develop­ment at its Basra Gateway Ter­minal in the North Port, Umm Qasr, Iraq.

The inauguration of the new facility marks the success­ful implementation of the first entirely foreign-financed devel­opment of new port infrastruc­ture in Iraq.

The Minister of Trans­port for Iraq, Kadhem Finjan al-Hamami was in attendance as Enrique K. Razon Jr, ICTSI Chairman and President, for­mally cut the ribbon, symboliz­ing the opening of the terminal after which the first container was lifted by one of the two new ship-to-shore cranes installed at the terminal.

Also present at the cer­emony were Dr. Majid M. Al-Nasrawy, Governor of Basra; Mr Riyadh Swadi Shamkhi Al Hammad, GCPI Port Director; and Elmer G. Cato, Charge d’ Affaires, en pied and Head of Mission, Embassy of the Phil­ippines, together with ICTSI se­nior management.

“Today represents a mile­stone in the development of Iraq’s shipping infrastructure. ICTSI’s commitment to Iraq is evidenced in major investments in the upgrade of existing berths 19, 20 and the construction of the new terminal incorporating Berth 27. Modern and reliable infrastructure, equipped with state-of-the-art quayside and landside handling systems is critical for sustainable econom­ic growth. 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,” Razon said as he emphasized ICTSI’s com­mitment to Iraq.

Phillip Marsham, CEO, BGT, noted that the fast-track development and on-time de­livery of the new terminal area was facilitated by the extremely good working relationship with the General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI) and other Iraqi government agencies.

“This is a special day for BGT and Umm Qasr Port, with the project completed on time. The support of GCPI and all the involved agencies in Iraq has made this possible, and BGT is now well positioned to build on the considerable progress already made in delivering high calibre services in line with in­ternational standards of opera­tion,” he said.

When fully developed, the new terminal area will comprise 600 meters of quay and 50 hect­ares of yard area. Total invest­ment for the first phase devel­opment is $130 million.

In addition to the acqui­sition of new equipment and IT systems BGT has invest­ed heavily in the training of its workforce, drawn largely from the local community.

Summarizing the com­bined impact of the compre­hensive investments, Hans-Ole Madsen, ICTSI Senior Vice President, Europe, Middle East and Africa said BGT is set to consolidate and expand its posi­tion as Iraq’s premier multi-pur­pose container terminal.