The General Director of the General Company for Ports of Iraq GCPI, Dr. Eng. Farhan Al-Fartousi, has announced the commencement of elevating the third concrete segment of the immersed tunnel from the manufacturing dock at Al-Faw Grand Port. This step paves the way for transporting it to the designated waterway beneath Khor Al-Zubair Channel, where it will undergo a positioning process adhering to the highest technical standards.
Dr. Al Fartousi stated, “Today marks the beginning of transporting the third segment of the immersed tunnel across three sequential phases. These phases include: first, the draining of balance tanks within the concrete segment at the manufacturing dock; second, towing the segment to the logistical dock for technical preparations; and finally, towing it towards the Khor Al-Zubair Channel where the high-precision positioning process will be conducted.”
He explained that “the procedure unfolds across three consecutive technical stages,” noting that “the first stage involves draining the balance tanks within the concrete segment, followed by the second stage which entails towing the segment to the logistical dock. At this dock, a series of technical procedures are performed, including structure cleaning, comprehensive inspection, the installation of GPS devices, and the placement of specialized surveying towers to establish its positioning.”
He added, “During the third stage, the segment is towed towards the Khor Al-Zubair Channel, in preparation for its meticulous placement in the underwater path as part of the positioning process. This precise technical operation demands a high level of engineering balance to ensure the segment’s placement without deviation.”
The General Director further stated that “the total length of the tunnel, after the addition of this segment, will reach 567 meters, encompassing the western approach of the tunnel along with the first and second segments, as well as the new segment, which measures 126 meters in length.”
The immersed tunnel is considered one of the most prominent components of Al-Faw Grand Port project. It is being implemented for the first time in the Middle East using this advanced technology, under the direct supervision of a specialized engineering team comprising national experts and international companies.
