On Friday, September 12, 2025, the General Company for Ports of Iraq announced a significant milestone in the immersed tunnel project at Al Faw Grand Port—one of the largest infrastructure undertakings in the Middle East. The seventh concrete segment has been floated within the manufacturing basin, concurrently with the positioning of the sixth segment at the bottom of the Khor Al-Zubair navigation channel.

Dr. Eng. Farhan Al-Fartousi, Director General of the company, stated, “The immersed tunnel project at Al Faw Grand Port, a cornerstone of Middle Eastern infrastructure, is witnessing qualitative progress. The seventh concrete segment has now been floated in the manufacturing basin, while the sixth is being precisely positioned on the bed of the Khor Al-Zubair channel.”

He explained that this step marks a transition into a highly technical execution phase, involving the draining of internal ballast tanks, calibration of floating blocks, and removal of sediment from the basin to ensure maximum precision prior to installation.

“Our aim with this parallel operation—floating and positioning—is to reduce time and accelerate the pace of work in alignment with the project’s timeline,” he added.

Following flotation, the seventh segment will be transferred to the logistics dock for outfitting with advanced systems, including surveying towers, GPS positioning units, and integrated logistical support systems. These enhancements will enable precise underwater installation according to the designed alignment.

Al-Fartousi noted that the installation of this segment will extend the completed tunnel length to approximately 1,071 meters from the landward approach to the end of the seventh segment. This marks a substantial leap in the project’s progress and paves the way for final closure stages within the scheduled timeframe.

The immersed tunnel at Al Faw Grand Port is considered a strategic lever for Iraq’s economy. It connects both banks of the Khor Al-Zubair navigation channel and serves as a vital logistical axis supporting regional and international maritime trade. The project also strengthens Iraq’s position on the global maritime transport map and opens broader horizons for economic development tied to ports and marine services, making it one of the region’s most prominent long-term infrastructure ventures.