The ability of the Port of Umm Qasr in Iraq to receive direct calls from larger container vessels is being progressively boosted by the new terminal development program at Basra Gateway Terminal (BGT).
A significant milestone was reached at the end of August with the servicing of Evergreen’s 5652-TEU capacity Ever Useful with a LOA of 285 meters, beam of 40 meters, and a GRT of 69,246 tons, by far the largest vessel to call Berth 27 at BGT.
Phillip Marsham, BGT Chief Executive Officer , commented: “ BGT’s investment program is designed to match the requirements of a growing Iraqi economy and the need to accommodate ever larger liner vessels. The call of the Ever Useful symbolizes how far Umm Qasr has come in improving port infrastructure to meet today’s global logistic chain requirements. ”
The terminal operator, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) recently started this ambitious port enlargement project in Iraq. The port expansion, now in its second phase, will upon completion in 2019, feature a total berth length of 600 meters, maximum draught of 14 meters alongside, and terminal area of 30 hectares.
Earlier this year, a customized Damen cutter suction dredger – type CSD500 – was brought in to assist in the extension of the Basra Gateway Terminal, at the Port of Umm Qasr, Iraq.