Iraq’s Ministry of Transport announced on Monday that the state-owned Iraqi Line is preparing to resume regular maritime services across the Arabian Gulf after a suspension lasting around five decades.
According to the ministry, the first voyage is scheduled for October 15, 2026, departing from the UAE’s Jebel Ali Port and heading directly to Umm Qasr Port in southern Iraq. The move is part of a broader plan to reactivate national maritime transport assets and strengthen Iraq’s presence along regional trade routes.
The ministry said the renewed service will provide state-backed logistics options for local traders and importers while supporting higher cargo volumes through Iraqi ports and expanding trade links with neighboring Gulf economies.
It added that the last scheduled commercial voyages by Iraqi vessels across the Gulf date back to the mid-1960s, making the Jebel Ali–Umm Qasr service a significant step toward reviving Iraq’s commercial maritime sector and integrating its shipping fleet into regional supply chains.
