The General Company for Ports of Iraq announced on Saturday, August 23, 3025, that the external navigation channel project at Al-Faw Grand Port—one of the strategic components of the port development—is approaching completion.
Dr. Eng. Farhan Al-Fartousi, Director General of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, affirmed that “the external navigation channel project at Al-Faw Grand Port is progressing according to the scheduled timeline and is nearing completion. This reflects the Iraqi ports’ commitment to enhancing maritime infrastructure and boosting the port’s operational capacity.”
He added, “The external navigation channel represents a strategic milestone, enabling the port to safely accommodate the largest vessels and strengthening Iraq’s regional maritime standing.”
Al-Fartousi noted that the project includes an integrated system for monitoring currents and meteorological and hydrological conditions, with data linked to a central system to ensure the highest levels of efficiency and safety during vessel entry and departure operations.
Project Director and Senior Chief Engineer, Mukhaled Abdulhussein Ali, stated that “the navigation channel extends 23 kilometers in length and 200 meters in width, with depths reaching 19.8 meters, in accordance with the approved design.” He highlighted that “excavation output to date has exceeded 57 million cubic meters, which have been removed and deposited in designated disposal areas as per the approved engineering plans.”
He continued, “The project also included the completion of two offshore platforms for studying marine and atmospheric conditions, along with hydrographic operations to measure current and wind speeds, and monitor humidity, pressure, and tidal movements.” He emphasized that “the collected data will be integrated into a dedicated system at Al-Faw Grand Port and transmitted directly to the Communications Department at the General Company for Ports of Iraq to support operational and monitoring functions at the port.”
The external navigation channel project is considered one of the strategic initiatives of Al-Faw Grand Port, aimed at enabling the safe and efficient reception of mega vessels. It supports Iraq’s plans to strengthen its regional maritime position and expand the capacity of its ports.
