Al Basrah, Iraq

Port Overview

Al Basrah, commonly known as Basra, is a major port city in southeastern Iraq, situated at the head of the Shatt al-Arab waterway about 110 km from the Persian Gulf. It is Iraq’s second-largest city by population and serves as the country’s principal maritime gateway. Strategically vital, Basra connects Iraq to global trade routes and is a key hub for oil exports, underpinning the national economy. The port complex, including Umm Qasr, handles the majority of Iraq’s container traffic, with an estimated annual TEU capacity in the range of several hundred thousand, though precise, up-to-date figures are not consistently published.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Al Basrah’s main facilities include the Basra Gateway Terminal, which features advanced quay cranes capable of handling vessels up to 12,000 TEU, container terminals, general cargo areas, and Ro-Ro berths. The port also has extensive storage warehouses, reefer points, and specialized terminals for dry bulk, liquid bulk, and dangerous cargo. Equipment includes mobile cranes, reach stackers, and forklifts. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are not currently in use at the port.

Container Terminals

Al Basrah’s main container terminals are located at Umm Qasr Port, featuring over 15 berths, with key container operations at berths 11 (Gulftainer), 12–15 (Basra Multipurpose Terminal), and 19–21 (Basra Gateway Terminal). The port’s annual container handling capacity is approximately 1.2 million TEU. Automation is moderate, with digital customs and electronic management platforms in use. Major operators include Gulftainer, Basra Multipurpose Terminal, and Basra Gateway Terminal.

Port Services

• Container handling: Modern container terminals with gantry cranes, reach stackers, and reefer points for efficient loading and unloading.
• Cargo operations: Handles general cargo, bulk cargo, project cargo, and RORO (roll-on/roll-off) shipments.
• Ship services: Berthing, pilotage, mooring, bunkering, and vessel support.
• Warehousing: Extensive storage facilities, including covered warehouses, open yards, cold storage, and consolidation/deconsolidation services.
• Customs: On-site customs clearance and documentation services for import and export cargo.

Global Connectivity

Al Basrah, Iraq is strategically located near the Persian Gulf, providing direct maritime access to major shipping routes connecting the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. The port serves southern Iraq and links to regional hubs such as Umm Qasr and the upcoming Grand Faw Port. It facilitates trade with Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the Indian subcontinent, and Mediterranean markets via the Suez Canal, supporting container, bulk, and general cargo shipments to global destinations.

Port Statistics

Port: Al Basrah, Iraq

TEU Throughput: Container throughput data is not separately published for Al Basrah; the main commercial container activity is handled at Umm Qasr ports. Al Basrah primarily serves as an oil export terminal.

World Ranking: Not ranked among the world’s top container ports; its significance is mainly in crude oil exports.

Number of Berths: Al Basrah Oil Terminal (ABOT) has 4 operational berths for crude oil tankers.

Port Area: The terminal is offshore, with no large land area; it consists of marine berthing platforms.

Shipping Lines: Major international oil tanker operators call at ABOT for crude oil loading; container shipping lines do not serve this terminal.

Note: For containerized cargo, Umm Qasr North and South ports in Basrah province are the primary facilities.