On Sunday, August 3, 2025, the Maritime Security Committee convened an extraordinary meeting to address a range of issues related to maritime safety and security, with a primary focus on regulating ship-to-ship (STS) transfer operations within Iraqi territorial waters.

Dr. Eng. Farhan Al-Fartousi, Deputy Chairman of the Maritime Security Committee and Director General of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, stated:
“The Maritime Security Committee held its extraordinary meeting in accordance with the directive of the Deputy Minister of Transport and Chairman of the Maritime Security Committee, to discuss several matters concerning maritime safety and security, foremost among them the management of ship-to-ship (STS) operations in Iraqi ports.”

He explained that:
“The meeting was chaired by myself and attended by Vice Admiral Mazin Abdulwahid Kabyan, Commander of the Naval Forces, as well as Mr. Ahmed Jassim, Director General of Maritime Transport, along with deputy directors general from the Supreme Maritime Authority and the General Company for Ports of Iraq, the Deputy Commander of the Naval Forces, representatives of maritime agencies from the General Company for Maritime Transport, and representatives from the Maritime Affairs Department of the Ports Company.”

He added:
“The meeting discussed mechanisms for regulating ship-to-ship (STS) operations between vessels in territorial waters, and explored means of coordination among relevant entities to allocate tasks and responsibilities in a manner that enhances maritime safety procedures and ensures port activities are conducted in accordance with both international and local regulations.”

He emphasized that:
“The General Company for Ports of Iraq, in collaboration with its maritime security partners and other governmental entities, operates with a spirit of teamwork aimed at developing its technical and organizational procedures to improve port performance efficiency and achieve the highest standards of safety and security in Iraqi ports.”

This meeting represents a significant step toward strengthening cooperation among maritime and security stakeholders, contributing to improved governance of port operations and enhancing technical and organizational readiness for managing sensitive maritime activities in line with the highest international standards of safety and quality.