Basra: The Director General of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, Farhan Al-Fartousi, announced on Friday that the submerged tunnel, one of the most prominent projects of the Grand Faw Port, is nearing completion. Work on leveling the eighth segment of the immersed tunnel, a key component of the Grand Al-Faw Port project, is in its final stages. Once this segment is installed, the tunnel will extend to a total length of 2,318 meters, with only one final 126-meter segment remaining to complete the connection between Al-Faw and Umm Qasr.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Fartousi stated that work is progressing as scheduled, with plans to lower the ninth and final segment by the end of this month. The subsequent steps involve the final closure phase, which includes installing a reinforced steel structure, draining water from the closure area, and beginning concrete casting to prepare for opening the tunnel's final passageways.

Al-Fartousi highlighted that the depth of water above the tunnel's roof reaches 22 meters at its deepest point, allowing the passage of large vessels without disrupting maritime traffic.

He further detailed that all tunnel sections will be covered with layers of stone backfill approximately 1.75 meters high. The stones vary in weight depending on the location; in the central area, each stone weighs about one ton, while stones with higher protective characteristics are used near wave-impact zones to ensure long-term stability and protection of the tunnel.