Dr. Eng. Farhan Al-Fartousi, Director General of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, announced today, Friday, November 14, 2025, that the leveling and placement of the eighth segment of the immersed tunnel—one of the flagship projects of Al Faw Grand Port—is nearing its final stages. He explained that the total length of the tunnel will reach 2,318 meters upon installation of this segment, with only one final segment remaining, measuring 126 meters. Connecting this last segment will complete the final link between the Faw and Um Qasr sides.

The Director General stated that “work is progressing according to schedule,” noting that “the ninth and final segment will be lowered into position by the end of this month. Immediately thereafter, final closure operations will commence, involving the installation of a tightly sealed steel structure, followed by the drainage of water from the closure zone, and then the pouring of concrete in preparation for opening the tunnel’s final access points.”

He added that “the depth of water above the tunnel’s roof at its deepest point reaches 22 meters, a depth sufficient to allow large vessels to pass without affecting navigational movement.”

He further indicated that “all tunnel components will be covered with layers of stone backfill approximately 1.75 meters high,” clarifying that “the stones used vary by location. In the central section, each stone weighs approximately one ton, while stones with higher protective properties are used near wave-impact zones to ensure the tunnel’s long-term stability and protection.”