Basra, Iraq — On Sunday, the General Company for Ports of Iraq announced that the external navigation channel of Al-Faw Grand Port, located in the southern region of the country, has entered its final stages, with completion exceeding 97%.

The channel’s development forms a key component of Iraq’s broader strategy to expand its maritime infrastructure and enhance its capacity to accommodate large commercial vessels.

In an official statement, the company’s Director General, Dr. Eng. Farhan Al-Fartousi, affirmed that the channel will enable the port to safely receive the world’s largest ships, thereby strengthening Iraq’s position in regional trade.

According to the company, the channel spans 23 kilometers in length, 200 meters in width, and reaches a depth of 19.8 meters. Excavation efforts have yielded approximately 58 million cubic meters of material.

The statement further noted that the project includes the construction of two specialized offshore platforms designed to monitor environmental and navigational conditions—such as water levels, wind speed, and sedimentation. These platforms will be integrated with the port’s central system to ensure operational efficiency and safety.