Baghdad:The Iraqi Ministry of Transport has announced that the Iraqi Maritime Line is set to restart its commercial shipping operations in the Gulf region after more than five decades of inactivity.

According to Iraqi News Agency, the resumption comes under the directives of Minister of Transport Wahab al-Hassani, who aims to activate national carriers and bolster their role in transport and trade. The first voyage of the Iraqi Maritime Line is scheduled to depart on October 15 from Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates, heading to Umm Qasr Port in Iraq.

This move is expected to reintegrate the national maritime carrier into regional trade routes, offering a national option for transporting containers and goods. The return of the Iraqi Maritime Line is also intended to enhance the movement of goods through Iraqi ports, support trade with neighboring countries, and increase the national carrier’s presence on regional maritime transport routes. This initiative aligns with the Ministry of Transport’s broader efforts to develop Iraq’s transportation system and activate its operational capabilities.

The Iraqi Maritime Line last operated in the region during the mid-1960s. The resumption of operations marks a significant milestone in reactivating national carriers and advancing Iraq’s maritime transport sector.