PORT operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has inaugurated the $250-million Port of Umm Qasr in Iraq, further beefing up its portfolio of active terminals outside the Philippines.
Enrique K. Razon, who chairs the global port operator, said the completion of the multimillion-dollar investment program for the port reflects the company’s level of commitment for the development of Iraq’s trade.
“We are pleased to lead the way for Umm Qasr to serve higher-capacity container vessels, up to and including the so-called New Panamax class, and, as a result, to open the door for cargo importers and exporters to benefit from substantial scale economies,” he said. Umm Qasr has two berths with a total capacity of 14,000 20 foot equivalent units that can handle general cargo, roll-on, roll-off, dry bulk and oil tankers.
Razon explained that the two berths are “extensively fitted out with state-of-the-art” container handling machines and tech systems.
On the quayside, the company has installed three gantry cranes that have an outreach of 56 meters or about 21 rows of containers on the deck of a vessel. It has also deployed seven new six-high stacking rubber-tired gantries, bringing the total units to 10 gantries.
“ICTSI’s completion of our multiphase $250-million investment program highlights our commitment to Iraq and our readiness to meet the challenge of providing much-needed, brand-new, port infrastructure and handling technology,” Razon said.