Q&A: Farhan Muhssin al-Fartousi, head of the General Company for Ports of Iraq

BASRA - Iraq is making headway on the Grand Fao port project, with five new berths due to be operational by October, according to Farhan Muhssin al-Fartousi, the director general of the state-owned General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI).

The ambitious project aims to turn this Gulf port into one of the world’s largest commerce hubs, but it has been plagued by delays since work began more than a decade ago.

At a press conference in Basra on Jan. 2, Fartousi provided a progress report on the work at Fao as well as other infrastructure enhancement projects at Iraq’s southern ports, many of which are in need of rehabilitation after decades of neglect.

Fao will ultimately have 10 berths, he said, including six for oil products and three for crude oil. Five of the berths are 85 percent complete and will be ready by October. GCPI has already tested anchoring at Berth 1, during a recent visit to the port by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.