ICTSI Basra adds 2 postpanamax cranes and 900,000 TEU capacity
THE new Basra Gate Terminal (BGT) project now adds another 900,000 TEU capacity to Iraq's Umm Qasr Port with the recent delivery of two postpanamax cranes and three RTGs as the port's US$130 million greenfield project moves closer to full build out.
The 11,338-gross ton crane carrier Hanjin Pioneer tied up to the new Berth 27 at the Manila-owned International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) operated North Port in Umm Qasr with the Terex cranes following a 7,000 nautical mile voyage from Xiamen.
Commissioning of the cranes and RTGs takes four weeks after which BGT will have two containerised berths together with new general and project cargo operations at nearby Berth 19, reports Colchester, England's Seatrade Maritime News.
"BGT is well positioned to take Umm Qasr Port to new levels in the business development in Iraq…this is a proud day for BGT and Iraq," said terminal manager Phillip Marsham.
"Our investment in the cutting edge of shipping technology and infrastructure will allow us to offer our customers the most efficient route and easy access to Iraqi market. We are hoping to give customers a completely new experience of doing business."
ICTSI signed a 26-year concession with the General Company for Ports of Iraq in 2014 to develop and operate three new berths under the BGT moniker, in addition to a 10-year agreement to redevelop the existing Berth 20.
Each stage of the greenfield expansion, the first public-private port sector partnership in Iraq, will add 300,000 TEU capacity, 200,000-square metre of container storages.
Average quarterly volume at BGT has grown from 15,000 TEU in third quarter 2014, before the ICTSI takeover, to 78,000 TEU in the first quarter 2016.
Productivity has soared from 16 to just shy of 50 bmph in the same period while the average truck cycle time has decreased from five hours in 2014 to 47 minutes today.
Umm Qasr port handles 80 per cent of the Iraq's imports including grain for a huge public food ration programme. With a hinterland that extends to Baghdad, Umm Qasr is critical in combating the country's well-documented geopolitical challenges.
THE new Basra Gate Terminal (BGT) project now adds another 900,000 TEU capacity to Iraq's Umm Qasr Port with the recent delivery of two postpanamax cranes and three RTGs as the port's US$130 million greenfield project moves closer to full build out.
The 11,338-gross ton crane carrier Hanjin Pioneer tied up to the new Berth 27 at the Manila-owned International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) operated North Port in Umm Qasr with the Terex cranes following a 7,000 nautical mile voyage from Xiamen.
Commissioning of the cranes and RTGs takes four weeks after which BGT will have two containerised berths together with new general and project cargo operations at nearby Berth 19, reports Colchester, England's Seatrade Maritime News.
"BGT is well positioned to take Umm Qasr Port to new levels in the business development in Iraq…this is a proud day for BGT and Iraq," said terminal manager Phillip Marsham.
"Our investment in the cutting edge of shipping technology and infrastructure will allow us to offer our customers the most efficient route and easy access to Iraqi market. We are hoping to give customers a completely new experience of doing business."
ICTSI signed a 26-year concession with the General Company for Ports of Iraq in 2014 to develop and operate three new berths under the BGT moniker, in addition to a 10-year agreement to redevelop the existing Berth 20.
Each stage of the greenfield expansion, the first public-private port sector partnership in Iraq, will add 300,000 TEU capacity, 200,000-square metre of container storages.
Average quarterly volume at BGT has grown from 15,000 TEU in third quarter 2014, before the ICTSI takeover, to 78,000 TEU in the first quarter 2016.
Productivity has soared from 16 to just shy of 50 bmph in the same period while the average truck cycle time has decreased from five hours in 2014 to 47 minutes today.
Umm Qasr port handles 80 per cent of the Iraq's imports including grain for a huge public food ration programme. With a hinterland that extends to Baghdad, Umm Qasr is critical in combating the country's well-documented geopolitical challenges.