ICTSI to invest US$100m in Basra Gateway Terminal expansion in Iraq

CONSTRUCTION is scheduled to begin immediately on the second major development phase of the Basra Gateway Terminal (BGT) in North Port, Umm Qasr, Iraq.
Two new berths will be developed incorporating a 20-hectare yard area that will raise BGT's annual container handling capacity by 600,000 TEU to a total of 1.2 million TEU. The berths will be equipped with quay and landside container handling systems capable of handling 10,000-TEU containerships.
President of parent company, International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI), Enrique Razon, said in a company statement: "This new US$100 million investment follows hot on the heels of ICTSI's development of Berth 27 and the rehabilitation and upgrade of berths 19, 20 & 21, a US$150 million investment.
"Our commitment to provide international standard port facilities and services in Iraq is plain to see. It also represents the fruit of a positive working relationship with the Iraq Ministry of Transport, General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI) and Governorate of Basra as well as other government agencies."
Mr Razon continued: "This combined effort will, when the new facilities are completed in 18 months' time, deliver the new facilities that are essential to support Iraq's key economic objectives including the resurgence of the non-oil economy."
When fully developed, berths 25, 26 and 27 combined will offer a continuous 600-metre berthing line and 50 hectares of yard area. The new container handling systems will work in conjunction with state-of-the-art terminal operating systems and benefit from ongoing staff training and the continuous improvement of systems.