Iraq receives new passenger ferries and boats under China agreement

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s General Company for Maritime Transport has received an initial shipment of 15 modern boats and three passenger ferries under a contract with China, including a large multipurpose ferry capable of carrying 500 passengers and 80 vehicles, the state-owned company said Tuesday.

The company said the delivery is the first batch under its agreement with the People’s Republic of China and includes 15 modern marine boats along with three advanced ferries.

Company director Capt. Ahmed Jassim said the new fleet includes modern tourist boats, two passenger ferries with a capacity of 200 passengers each, and “a third large multipurpose ferry” that can transport 500 passengers and 80 vehicles on a single trip.

Jassim said the vessels are part of Transport Minister Wahab Al-Hassani’s plan to modernize Iraq’s maritime fleet and improve river and sea transport services “in line with international standards” while meeting growing demand for passenger transport.

He said the new ferries will be assigned to passenger routes linking Iraq with Gulf Basin countries, a move the company said is intended to support travel, commercial exchange and tourism while expanding regional maritime transport links and providing modern transportation for passengers.

The company described the project as part of the Transport Ministry’s broader effort to develop Iraq’s maritime infrastructure and expand the regional maritime transport network.