Iraq advances development project to improve cargo link

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani has directed the Ministry of Transportation to fast-track technical and administrative procedures for rehabilitating the Al-Faw–Fishkhabour railway — a key component of the first phase of the US$ 17 billion Development Road Project. Anchored by the Grand Faw Port, the 1,200 km freight corridor will connect Basra to Turkey and Europe and reduce Asia–Europe transit times and enhance Iraq’s role as a logistics hub. Completion of early works at Grand Faw Port is targeted for late 2025. The World Bank has committed US$930 million to the Iraq Railways Extension and Modernisation Project. It will upgrade 1,000 km of lines, modernise rolling stock and encourage investment in dry ports and logistics hubs.