Basra Gateway Terminal (BGT), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) Iraqi unit operating at the Port of Umm Qasr, was recently conferred the “Contribution to the Development of the Regional Maritime Cluster Award” at the 2016 Seatrade Maritime Awards for the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa.
Hans Ole-Madsen, ICTSI senior vice president and head of Europe, Middle East and Africa Region, said: “We are proud to have been given this recognition by Seatrade. BGT has been very successful in Umm Qasr and at this rate, there’s already a visible positive impact to regional trade. With the completion of our first terminal expansion a couple of weeks ago, we’re looking to play a bigger economic role in the region.”
Last month, ICTSI inaugurated BGT’s USD130 million first phase expansion, which adds a 200-meter berth and 300,000-TEU annual capacity to the terminal. At full build, the new terminal area will feature 600 meters of quay and 50 hectares of storage space.
Phillip Marsham, BGT chief operating officer, said: “This award is an important milestone for us. It is a great source of pride considering the speed by which we completed this new terminal after operating for only two years at the old terminal.”
Held at the Palm in Dubai, the annual awards aims to promote significant contribution and pioneering advancements across the maritime and shipping world.
BGT is thus poised to become Iraq’s first port facility capable of servicing 300-meter container vessels. This will be a game changer resulting in increased efficiency, reduced transportation costs, and seamless trade movement between Iraq and the rest of the Gulf region.
In 2014, ICTSI signed a contract with the General Company for Ports of Iraq to operate, develop and expand the container handling facilities at the Port of Umm Qasr. The contract includes a 10-year concession covering Berth 20, and a 26-year concession that includes the construction of a new terminal under the expansion component of the project.
