Iraq revives state shipping line after 50-year gap with Gulf debut
The cargo vessel Basrah departs Jebel Ali for Kuwait, marking Iraq’s first commercial voyage since the 1960s.
Iraq has relaunched its state-owned shipping line after a 50-year absence, with the cargo vessel Basrah departing the UAE’s Port of Jebel Ali on October 21 for Kuwait. The move marks a strategic effort to revive Iraq’s maritime transport sector and strengthen trade links in the Persian Gulf amid ongoing regional instability.
The Iraqi Ministry of Transport announced the revival plan earlier this month, framing it as a step toward enhancing the country’s transport infrastructure and operational capabilities. The Basrah, a 143-metre (469-foot) vessel built in 2014 and registered in Jordan, has a capacity of 17,787 deadweight tonnes (dwt) and can carry approximately 900 TEU. Its departure from Jebel Ali signals the first commercial voyage by an Iraqi-flagged cargo ship in the region since the mid-1960s.
The timing of the relaunch reflects both economic necessity and geopolitical challenges. Since the outbreak of war in the region, most cargo has been forced onto overland routes, straining road and rail networks in neighbouring countries like the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.
In April, the Iraqi Ministry highlighted the Basrah’s role in addressing supply chain disruptions, particularly for food imports. The Ministry has since outlined plans for a shuttle service connecting Kuwait and Umm Qasr, with the Basrah serving as the linchpin of the operation.
Security risks and the road ahead: Iraq
The resumption of maritime services comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf. On October 21, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported an incident involving a tanker struck by an unknown projectile 30 nautical miles southeast of Al Faw, Iraq. While Iraqi officials have not confirmed details, the attack, described as a “late report”, highlights the risks facing vessels in the region.
Despite the challenges, the Iraqi Ministry has framed the relaunch as a “significant milestone” in its efforts to reactivate national carriers. The last commercial voyages by Iraqi cargo vessels date back to the mid-1960s, making the Basrah’s deployment a symbolic and practical step toward reclaiming Iraq’s role in regional maritime trade. The vessel’s AIS signal confirms its current route to Kuwait, with plans to expand the shuttle service in the coming weeks.
“a significant milestone in the efforts to reactivate national carriers and advance Iraq’s maritime transport sector.”
Iraqi Ministry of Transport·Government authority
“It called it a late report and said the incident had happened 30 nautical miles southeast of Al Faw, Iraq.”
UK Maritime Trade Operations·Maritime security agency
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