International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) continues its development in Iraq’s port sector with the second phase investment in new container terminal infrastructure underway at the Port of Umm Qasr.
On completion of the current second phase expansion scheme, ICTSI will have invested in excess of USD 250 million, the lion’s share of which is for a new berth, yard construction, and state-of-the-art handling equipment at the Basra Gateway Terminal (BGT).
The phase two expansion, to be completed in stages by the third quarter of 2019, will deliver 400 meters of new quay with a draft of 14 meters, alongside a new 30-hectare yard area and a 15-hectare secure parking area.
Three post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes would likewise be installed along the quay, and seven rubber tired gantries (RTG) will provide state-of-the-art stacking and handling power in the yard area. The overall design provides for handling container vessels of up to 9,000 TEU capacity. Upon completion of the second phase, BGT will have an annual handling capacity of over one million TEUs.
“The second phase expansion will not only allow us to respond immediately to scale needs, but also deliver added flexibility to the whole container handling operation with diverse benefits flowing to our customers,” Phillip Marsham, BGT executive officer, said.
In the first quarter of 2017, BGT completed the first phase of its terminal greenfield project, which included the construction of a new 250-meter berth and a 15-hectare yard area.
Last year also saw BGT’s expansion of its service portfolio with the development of quay and yard areas configured for the safe and efficient handling of oil and gas project cargoes.
Operations at Berth 21 commenced in January 2018, introducing a dedicated roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) facility, where international standard operational practices remain.