Al Faw to 'change Iraqi economy' - Arabian Supply Chain

The Iraqi ministry of transport has confirmed its approval of the construction of the country’s biggest port; Al Faw, just south of Basra.

A ministry release indicated that the project would represent a landmark that would change the course of the Iraqi economy. The US$5.4 billion Al Faw Big Port is being designed by an Italian company, which will work in conjunction with the Iraqi ministry of transport.

“This port is a strategic project that will bring about this change,” said the release, according to the Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“The strategic position of Iraq will make it the short-cut route to transport goods between the northern and southern parts of the world,” it added.

The decision validates recent suggestions from the General Company of Iraq Ports that it would be working on expanding cargo capacity at the country's facilities, and comes as interest in Iraq's import and export potential continues to grow.

Midland soldiers insist Iraqis can go it alone

In his final report from Iraq, reporter Paul Bradley discovers how Midland soldiers have prepared Iraqi marines and sailors to guard their two greatest financial assets.

Iraqi marines and naval forces are on track to guard their two main oil platforms from “probing enemies” thanks to the guidance of Midland troops.

Oil platforms KAAOT and ABOT, 60 miles away from the port of Um Qasr in Southern Iraq, produce 80 per cent of Iraq’s oil wealth.

But after the conflicts in 1991 and 2003 the security resources designed to protect them were decimated.Now, the Coalition Naval Advisory Transition Team, made up of nine US and British services including the US coastguard and the Royal Marines, are aiming to put things to rights.
They are training the Iraqi Marines and Navy to protect the oil platforms as part of a contract that will see them stay in South Port Um Qasr until 2011.

But a few hundred metres along the coastline at North Port, The Queen’s Royal Hussars, who are predominantly from the West Midlands, will be withdrawing, leaving the Iraqis to defend the area under the eye of the US Army.

Training Officer, Lieutenant Commander Grant Kelly, said: “It is no secret that different nations are constantly probing each other’s capabilities. It is important that the Iraqis protect the two oil platforms because they are the life-blood of the whole country.”

The Iraqi government aims to develop the port further. Coalition forces initially invested in a fleet of ships to protect it but now they have changed their stance and are advising Iraq how best to invest their own cash. The commercial port is progressing rapidly, with capacity increasing by 20 per cent each year.

And the Queen’s Royal Hussars, who will be the final British troops to withdraw from the port later this year, are confident the Iraqis are ready to take on the mission of keeping the port safe.

Lieutenant Harry Howard, aged 25, from Worcester, said: “Reconstruction projects will obviously take a long time but there is no reason why they cannot work. The port is ready now and everything is working fine. I believe this place will get better and better with time.

“We have been looking after important visitors such as foreign investors, military figures and politicians. But in the future that task will be passed on to the Iraqis. They are more than ready for it.”

Royal Navy notch up Iraqi Navy's training

With increased traffic around the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr and substantial oil exports now being undertaken from platforms in the Gulf, the role of the Iraqi maritime security forces is becoming ever more important. Helping train them is a coalition team led by the Royal Navy.

Based within the Iraqi Naval Base at Umm Qasr, in the Al Basrah province of southern Iraq, the Coalition Naval Advisory Training Team (CNATT-UQ) consists of some 90 personnel from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army, Royal Air Force, US Navy, US Coast Guard and US Marine Corps.

The Royal Navy-led operation exists to train, mentor and advise the re-established Iraqi maritime forces and the coalition staff work alongside their Iraqi counterparts on a daily basis to help the Iraqi Navy and Iraqi Marines 'force generate' and transition to a level where they can provide security for Iraq's territorial waters and ports.

This area is of absolute significance to Iraq's economy as the two major offshore oil terminals (often referred to as OPLATs), Khawr Al Amaya and Al Basrah, and the port of Umm Qasr, account for approximately 90 per cent of Iraq's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The training programme for the Iraqi maritime forces is now kicking up another notch and a series of high profile visits by the UK and US has recently demonstrated the commitment and importance of this area of work, which will continue after the main bulk of UK forces withdraw from southern Iraq.

Starting off the recent visits was the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, who arrived at the Iraqi Naval Base on board one of the Iraqi Navy's recently-acquired Defender-class Fast Small Boats.

Receiving a briefing on the training being conducted Admiral Band witnessed practical training, including US Coast Guard-led boarding training conducted in the CNATT-UQ built 'Ship in a Box', which consists of stacked containers designed to replicate a merchant vessel's superstructure and internal spaces.

Shortly after Admiral Band's visit, Rear Admiral Thomas A Cropper, Deputy Commander of US Naval Forces Central Command, arrived at Umm Qasr on the US Coast Guard cutter Aquidneck. The ship's presence furthered the aim of bringing more coalition ships alongside in the interests of making such visits normal practice, and allowed useful training with the Iraqi Navy to take place.

The Aquidneck is similar in size to the Iraqi Navy's new patrol ships and a number of tours provided useful first-hand experience for the Iraqi Navy and Marine personnel.

Following this visit, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, accompanied by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, made an unannounced visit to see first-hand the Iraqi Navy's progress and to thank CNATT-UQ personnel for their achievements. Mr Brown reinforced the importance of the team and the work they were doing in the continuing regeneration of Iraq.

The CNATT-UQ commander, Captain Richard Ingram RN, gave Mr Brown a strategic brief on the Iraqi Navy's vital roles within the overarching Iraqi security and development strategy. Captain Ingram commented:

"With the pending delivery of 20 more Defender-class Fast Small Boats, as well as the procurement of four patrol ships, and an expected 15 patrol boats and two Offshore Support Vessels, the resulting unprecedented level of growth in capability will allow the transition of responsibility for maritime security to shift from Coalition forces to the Iraqi Navy.

"The increased maritime traffic within the commercial port and substantial oil exports from the two OPLATs in the Gulf generate a large proportion of Iraq's GDP and this, in turn, clearly emphasises the importance of a proficient and enduring Iraqi maritime force in a stable Iraq."

A more recent visit was undertaken by the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, General James T Conway, who received a brief on the progress of the Iraqi Marines and witnessed several training evolutions.

The sheer number of completed and scheduled high-profile visits to CNATT-UQ will ensure the spotlight remains firmly on the team's mission and commitment. Captain Ingram explained:

"Whilst the drawdown of UK forces has been announced, the CNATT-UQ will remain an enduring British commitment in Iraq, helping to promote security, economic development and the rule of law. If we were to leave this summer along with all other UK forces, then I assess that, although limited maritime operations would continue, there would be a considerable delay to Iraqi Navy forces achieving full and effective operations across the full spectrum of required capability."

The CNATT-UQ's detailed transition plan, combined with a fully-inclusive approach to training delivery, is set to realise capability over time and is very much aligned with the Iraqi Navy's concept of operations.

Captain Ingram added:

"We have a very close relationship with our Iraqi counterparts and have strived to cultivate the environment of co-operation and friendship of which our Prime Minister spoke during his recent press conference.

"This is something we have been doing for some time as we seek to develop personal, professional relationships and engage with the local community wherever and whenever possible.

"The development of a navy from virtually nothing to one capable of defending the essential strategic maritime infrastructure of its country is incredibly rewarding and one my whole team is proud to be involved with. The impact of the CNATT UQ's efforts will result in a capable, efficient and proud Iraqi Navy, and will be felt for many years."

Fighting dust and heat, these soldiers have the X-Factor...

HEARTS are pumping as the Black Hawk helicopter races through the night over Iraq.
Figures that I can just make out in the black of a cramped chopper cabin are nervously facing forward.

The rotor blades cut through the air as we fly over the settlements of Basra Province.
The pilot, co-pilot and two American side gunners, using night-vision goggles, look out for enemy positions.

It is an eerie and nervous flight for those members of the 9th/12th Lancers on board.

Silently they wait for touchdown at their base by the side of Iraq's busiest port of Umm Qasr – a gateway to the world for the people and commerce of the country.

As the Black Hawk finally lands and the soldiers disembark with their kit and their most important cargo – the post from home – there is audible relief. It's another safe landing.

For the full article click here for the Derbeyshire Evening Telegraph

Basra port receives 3 cargo ships

Basra's port of Umm Qasr on Tuesday received three ships with varied cargo. The ships from Iran, Panama and Malaysia carried 2,000 tons of sugar and other assorted goods.

to find out more click here for Voice of Iraq

First Royal Navy visit to Iraqi port since 2003

Royal Navy ships have visited the Iraqi deep water port of Umm Qasr for the first time since 2003, highlighting the continued security improvements in southern Iraq.

Full article on the MoD website click here

Iraq's port city shows signs of an economic comeback

Tom Peter from US newspaper the Christian Science Monitor visited Basra at the end of August.

One of his trips took him down to Um Qasr port where he found out that the amount of cargo coming into Umm Qasr has tripled since April.

As Iraqi dockworkers unload rice from the Yichanghai, a Thai freighter, the boat's captain recalls the last time his company sent a ship to Umm Qasr, Iraq's only port city, in 2004. Boats had to wait one to two months outside the port before authorities allowed them to dock, and local militias often extorted extra duties.
"It was too much of a problem," says Captain Cao Zhanshu, explaining why his company did not send another ship until now. This time the situation looks much different. They only waited 10 days and paid no bribes. "I think it's safe to come here," he says.

Read the full story here