Umm Qasr

Content

The Ports of Iraq have issued the following instructions for vessels calling at Iraqi ports:

1. Requirements to Book a Vessel
2. Vessel Clearance Protocols
3. Points of Contact
4. Booking Form

Port Tariffs for Um Qasr as of November, 2003.

SSA - Operators of the Um Qasr port

SSA, the operators of the Um Qasr port, have a FAQ about the port and their operations at http://www.ssamarine.com/locations/iraq.html. They also produce a newsletter from time to time. 

Um Qasr - General Overview

More technical information on the Um Qasr port can also be found at Mesteel

Specifications
The port consists of two distinct areas: the old port situated on the left bank of the river and the new port located in a dredged channel to the northwest of the river as shown on the port plan.

Both ports are in good condition and no major damage has been reported. The land UXO and mines have been cleared but there is still some UXO in the water.

The old port
Berths 1 – 10 span around 2 km along the west bank of the river.

12 warehouses in good condition:
1 x 11 760 sqm -1 x 5 724 sqm - 3 x 5 670 sqm- 3 x 4 216 sqm- 3 x 3 330 sqm- 1 x 3 535 sqm

2 gantrys; both are rather old
Shore cranes could be used when power is available.
4 Roncuzzi are working with diesel machine.

The New port
Berth 11 – 21 length around 2,2 km long in the channel

23 warehouses in good condition:
11 warehouses of 4 623 sqm- 8 warehouses of 5 504 sqm- others are around 4 000 sqm each

2-gantrys Chinese brand, are working and are on certification. One of them has been used to discharge a container vessel.
25 Shore cranes can only work when power available.
In both Ports thousands of square meters are available for outdoor storage.

Port management
The Iraqi ports are under the OCPA/Ministry of Transport and Communication authority.

The general Director for all Iraqi ports is Mr RAZZAQ, who has been approved by OCPA.
The Port manager is Capt Adele and the survey manager is Capt Samir.

The operations in the port of Um Qasr have been given to S.S.A. (Stevedore Services of America) by USAID. The Operation Director of S.S.A for the Port is John Walsh and his assistant for shipping matters is Pete Mac Givert. S.S.A. has the control over Pilots, tugboats, stevedoring operations, warehousing and storage.

It is possible to hire the services of a private Iraqi company for stevedoring operations and ship agencies.

The Port is running 7 days a week and 24/24 H.

The Port Managements priority cargo is:
HUMANITARIAN, RECONSTRUCTION, COMMERCIAL and MILITARY.

Security
Responsibility for Port Security has been outsourced by SSA Marine to OLIVE
(see www.olivesecurity.com).

OLIVE have implemented a number of security measures including improved fencing, installation of razor wire, issuing of ID cards and hiring and training of security guards. It is reported by SSA Marine that these measures have significantly improved security at the port and that both the town and port of Umm Qasr are generally safe and secure.

Land Transport facilities
The road connection is working and no major destruction has been reported, the national road network allows transport all other countries.

The rail transport is used on regular bases to transport containers to the northern part of the country and experts will do a more complete study of the rail capacities.

Customs & Immigration
40 customs officers are presently employed and the Dubai customs is repairing the offices and setting the power and facilities .
As in all Iraq no customs taxes, duties or other are applicable before January 1st 2004.
The training for these officers should start next week.