Energy rich Iraq is planning to launch a multi-billion-dollar project to link its Southern Faw Port with Turkey by a rail network in early 2024, Iraq’s official news agency said in a report.
The proposed logistics project includes a dual rail line for freight and passenger trains and a 1,190-km motorway for cargo trucks, the report said.
The report said while citing government officials that the proposed freight train will have an initial capacity of 3.5 million containers and 22 million tonnes of bulk cargo per year, which will be raised in phases to 7.5 million containers and 33 million tonnes per year.
Meanwhile, the high-speed passenger train will have an initial capacity of 13.8 million passengers per year.
The project is expected to boost trade and transportation between Iraq and Turkey, providing more efficient and cost-effective means of moving goods and people between the two countries.
According to Maytham Al Safi, the information director at the Transport Ministry, an Italian company has completed a feasibility study for the rail and motorway project and submitted it to the Ministry. The rail and road will pass through nine Iraqi provinces and end up at the border with Turkey.
“A project is underway to link Faw Port with the nearby Umm Qasr Port—this project is part of the Development Road project that will link Southern Iraq with Turkey, “Al Safi said, adding that the ministry has awarded the project and is set to launch it by early 2024.