The Iraqi Transportation Ministry will invite foreign companies to enter bids in March to construct to ten ships. These will include container and bulk cargo vessels, costing approximately $110 million.
The head of the government owned ocean transport company, Ismat Amer, stated that Iraq began rebuilding its ocean fleet in 2009.
In September, Iraq signed an agreement with a Swiss company, Global Refinery, to operate 66 ships jointly. This is the first fleet that Iraq has had since America invaded the country in 2003.
Iraq’s ports are in disrepair after many years of war and sanctions. However, Iraq plans to repair its infrastructure after it signed important oil agreements that could quadruple oil production.