Director General of Ports Leads First Meeting to Assess Biodiversity at Al Faw Grand Port
On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, Dr. Engineer Farhan Al-Fartousi, Director General of Ports, chaired the first technical committee meeting established by the Iraqi government to assess the biodiversity of Al Faw Grand Port and its breakwater structures.
Dr. Al-Fartousi emphasized that the meeting, held at Al Faw Grand Port, brought together several stakeholders, including the Marine Sciences Center from Basra University and the Italian consultant responsible for the initial feasibility study upon which the port project was based.
The committee was formed as part of the Iraqi government’s commitment to assessing the environmental impact of vital national projects, particularly those related to port development. The committee includes experts in environmental science, marine navigation, and marine engineering, with the goal of delivering a scientific and accurate evaluation.
Dr. Al-Fartousi explained that the committee will focus on studying the impact of Al Faw Grand Port and its breakwaters on the biodiversity of the surrounding marine area. It will also assess the effects on water movement, particularly given the region’s significant tidal fluctuations, and how these dynamics might affect marine life and the overall marine ecosystem.
The committee will use the latest scientific methods for assessment and will provide clear and precise recommendations for the project’s environmental management. The goal is to ensure a balance between the development of Al Faw Grand Port—one of Iraq’s major strategic projects—and the preservation of the marine biodiversity.
The committee is expected to submit a comprehensive report on the study in the coming months, reflecting the Iraqi government’s commitment to ensuring a safe and sustainable environment for major infrastructure projects.
Notably, the construction of the eastern and western breakwaters of the port has led to the development of marine habitats that have attracted various fish species and birds, some of which were previously endangered.
