Baghdad: The General Company for Maritime Transport, affiliated with the Ministry of Transport, announced on Tuesday the receipt of 15 modern vessels and three ferries.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Company Director Captain Ahmed Jassim stated in a press release that the General Company for Maritime Transport has received the first batch of vessels under a contractual agreement with the People’s Republic of China. This delivery includes 15 modern vessels and three advanced ferries.

The newly acquired fleet features modern tourist vessels, two passenger ferries with a capacity of 200 passengers each, and a third large multi-purpose ferry. The multi-purpose ferry is capable of carrying 500 passengers and 80 vehicles per trip, enhancing the company’s capacity to meet regional transport demands.

Captain Jassim emphasized that these acquisitions align with the Ministry of Transport’s directives to support maritime transport. This initiative is in line with Minister of Transport Wahab al-Hassani’s vision to modernize the Iraqi maritime fleet, aiming to enhance the efficiency of river and sea transport services to meet international standards and respond to the growing demand for passenger transport services.

The new ferries will operate on passenger routes between Iraq and the Gulf countries, contributing to increased travel, trade, and tourism. This development opens new horizons for regional cooperation in maritime transport while providing safe and modern means of transport for passengers. Captain Jassim highlighted that this project is a strategic initiative reflecting the Ministry of Transport’s focus on developing maritime infrastructure and supporting the national economy by expanding the regional maritime transport network and providing advanced services to citizens.