By John Lee. The Iraqi Ministry of Transport has reported continued arrivals of cargo vessels at Iraqi ports during March, reflecting ongoing maritime trade activity despite regional tensions. According to the ministry, maritime agencies of the State Company for Maritime Transport (SCMT) have continued to provide services to incoming vessels, while cargo handling operations are […]
By John Lee. The Ministry of Oil has reportedly issued tenders to export Iraqi crude oil through the Syrian port of Baniyas and the Jordanian port of Aqaba, according to Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani. In comments reported by the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), Abdul Ghani said Iraq remains heavily dependent on revenues from […]
By Rostom Aram, for Almas Group. Freight Under Pressure: How Regional Instability Is Reshaping Middle East Logistics The Middle East remains one of the world's most important logistics corridors, connecting production hubs in Asia with markets across Europe, Africa, and the wider region. However, periods of geopolitical tension continue to test the resilience of supply […]
From Kapita Research. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq's 2026 Customs Reset Iraq's main ports have been partially paralyzed since the start of 2026. The cause is not a physical blockade but the activation of a new digital customs system […]
By John Lee. Iraq's General Customs Authority has announced temporary exceptional measures to accelerate the flow of goods and reduce congestion at ports. According to state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), the authority said the measures were adopted in line with directives from Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and in response to exceptional regional conditions affecting ports […]
By John Lee. Gulftainer has reported a 28 percent increase in throughput and container handling at its Iraq Container Terminal (ICT) at the start of 2026 compared with the same period last year. The company attributed the growth to expanded carrier services, an enhanced product portfolio and improved operational performance, strengthening the terminal's role as a […]
By John Lee. Iraq's General Customs Authority has reported its highest-ever monthly customs revenues, exceeding IQD 137 billion (USD 105 million) in January 2026, reflecting the impact of recent regulatory and administrative reforms. The Authority said the increase followed the full implementation of Decision No. 957 across all customs centres, improving revenue collection efficiency and […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Transport has announced a series of measures agreed with Egypt to facilitate road transport of passengers and goods between the two countries. The decisions were reached during the first meeting of the joint technical committee, held in Cairo on 13-14 January 2026, as part of the implementation of the […]
Iraqi Logistics Takes the Global Stage: Almas Group to Exhibit at Breakbulk Middle East 2026 Almas Group International Transportation Co. Ltd., Iraq's leading logistics and freight forwarding company, is proud to announce its participation in Breakbulk Middle East 2026 in Dubai, marking a historic milestone as the first Iraqi freight forwarding company to exhibit at […]
From Almas Group Logistics: New Customs Regulations Take Effect at Umm Qasr Port: What Iraqi Importers Need to Know Iraqi Customs implements item-based duty calculations under Council of Ministers Decision No. 957/2025 applying customs duties based on individual item classification and value. Significant changes to customs clearance procedures are now in effect at Umm Qasr […]
By John Lee. The General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI) has launched a new direct international Ro-Ro shipping line linking Port Rashid in the United Arab Emirates with Umm Qasr port, with the arrival of the first shipment of TIR trucks. The service, inaugurated on 25 December 2025, operates with a transit time of […]
By John Lee. DP World has introduced a new weekly 36-hour maritime service linking Dubai's Mina Rashid with Iraq's Umm Qasr Port, offering what it says is a faster and more predictable alternative to overland trucking. The route will accommodate up to 145 accompanied trailers per sailing on the upgraded 166.75-meter Ro-Ro vessel DP World […]
