Iraq’s state-owned General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI) officially inaugurated a new maritime shipping line connecting the UAE and Iraq with the arrival of the first vessel from Dubai’s Mina Rashid at Umm Qasr Port on Thursday.
The new service, carrying roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) trucks, marks the launch of a direct international shipping link between Port Rashid in the UAE and Iraq’s southern gateway, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA). The initiative is expected to significantly reduce maritime transit times by enabling trucks to drive directly onto specially designed vessels via integrated ramps, bypassing cranes and expediting loading and unloading processes.
Ro-Ro vessels, equipped with multiple decks and ramps, are ideal for transporting automobiles, buses, and fully loaded trailers, minimizing handling and potential damage during transit.
The new route aims to strengthen bilateral trade between Iraq and the UAE while enhancing the efficiency of regional supply chains. Beyond serving Iraq’s domestic market, the maritime link also establishes a logistical corridor connecting the country to Jordan, Syria, and Turkey through existing land transport networks, bolstering Iraq’s position as a regional transit hub.
Dubai-based multinational DP World, which operates the service under DP World Express, said the 36-hour route can carry up to 145 trailer trucks per voyage. The vessels transport non-containerized complete trailers with drivers on board, offering a direct and secure door-to-door service between the UAE and Iraq.
The launch reflects growing demand for faster and more regulated trailer movements, reducing handling requirements and enabling better planning across major commercial sectors.
