$ 17 billion.. Iraq launches a huge transportation project with Türkiye

Iraq launched a $17 billion project to connect an important commodity port on its southern coast to the border with Turkey by extending a railway network and roads, in a move aimed at transforming the country's economy after decades of wars and crises.

The development road aims to link the oil-rich port of Faw in southern Iraq with Turkey, turning the country into a transit hub by shortening travel time between Asia and Europe in an attempt to compete with the Suez Canal.

Farhan Al-Fartousi, General Manager of the General Company for Iraqi Ports, said: "Do not imagine that the development road is a road only for the passage of goods or travelers. No, this road will be an opening for the doors of development in vast areas in Iraq."

High-speed trains transporting

The Iraqi government envisages high-speed trains transporting goods and passengers at speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour, in addition to extending lines to local industry and energy centers, which could include oil and gas pipelines.

This will represent a major transformation of the country's existing old transport network.

Train service

Iraq's train service currently operates a handful of lines, including slow oil freighters and a single overnight passenger train from Baghdad to Basra that takes 10 to 12 hours on a 500 km journey.

Passenger transportation between Iraq and Europe goes back to major plans drawn up at the beginning of the twentieth century to launch a fast line from Baghdad to Berlin.

Al-Fartousi said, “The old road, Basra-Baghdad-Berlin, which used to transport Iraqi tourists from Basra and from Baghdad, Iraq, towards Europe.

This road connects other countries to transport travelers and transport pilgrims from Europe very quickly, to be convenient for travelers who like to visit the holy shrines in Iraq or go towards the House of God to perform Hajj or Umrah.

Attracting the interest of Arab countries

The development path project was announced at a conference aimed at attracting the interest of Arab countries such as the Gulf states, Syria and Jordan. A senior government aide said regional investment was on the table.

commercial port

For his part, Iraqi Transport Minister Razzaq Al-Saadawi said that his country intends to operate the first phase of the Al-Faw port project in mid-2025.

During the conference, the minister added, "The achievement rates achieved in the port of Faw amounted to more than 50 percent."

 The cost of the Al-Faw port project is about $2.6 billion, and it aims to establish a large commercial port in southern Iraq. It has been postponed more than once.