Grand Faw Port Immersed Tunnel Handed Over to Iraqi Ports, Strengthening Development Road Connectivity
Shipping Arabia, November 14, 2026 – The General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI) has officially taken delivery of the Grand Faw Port immersed tunnel from South Korea’s Daewoo, marking a major infrastructure milestone for Iraq’s maritime and logistics development. The 2.44-kilometer tunnel will connect Grand Faw Port with the Umm Qasr area and Iraq’s international highway network, significantly reducing road distances and supporting the country’s Development Road project.
The handover took place in the presence of Iraqi Transport Minister Wahb Al-Hassani, GCPI Director General Abdullah Ati Abdullah, members of parliament representing Basra Governorate and other officials involved in the port sector.
The tunnel represents one of the major infrastructure components of Grand Faw Port, providing a strategic road connection between the port, existing transport networks and the wider logistics corridor planned under Iraq’s Development Road initiative.
Grand Faw Port Immersed Tunnel Extends 2,444 Meters
The Grand Faw Port immersed tunnel was constructed beneath the Khor Al-Zubair navigation channel using immersed concrete tunnel sections. According to Iraqi port authorities, it is the first project of its kind in the Middle East.
The tunnel has a total length of 2,444 meters, including approximately 1,266 meters beneath the navigation channel. Its design incorporates three traffic lanes in each direction, providing six lanes for road transportation.
The project represents a significant engineering achievement within the infrastructure development program at Grand Faw Port. Its construction involved specialized immersed tunnel technology, allowing the road connection to pass beneath the navigation channel.
The tunnel will establish a direct transport link between Grand Faw Port and the Umm Qasr area, facilitating integration with Iraq’s international highway system.
New Connection Reduces Road Distance and Travel Time
One of the most significant benefits of the immersed tunnel is the substantial reduction in road distance between Grand Faw Port and the international highway network.
According to the Iraqi Ministry of Transport, the new connection will shorten the journey from approximately 200 kilometers to just 62 kilometers.
The shorter route is also expected to reduce travel time from around two hours to approximately 35 minutes.
These improvements are designed to facilitate truck and cargo movements between Grand Faw Port and Iraq’s inland transport network. In addition, the shorter connection is expected to improve logistics efficiency, streamline cargo transportation and support smoother trade flows.
The project also strengthens connectivity between Iraq’s ports and the transport infrastructure associated with the Development Road initiative.
Supporting Iraq’s Development Road Project
The immersed tunnel forms part of the main infrastructure projects associated with Grand Faw Port, which serves as a central component of Iraq’s Development Road initiative.
The project aims to strengthen Iraq’s position as a trade and logistics corridor connecting Asia and Europe through an integrated maritime and inland transportation network.
By improving the road connection between Grand Faw Port, Umm Qasr and the international highway, the tunnel supports the wider objective of integrating Iraq’s port infrastructure with regional and international transport routes.
The Iraqi Ministry of Transport considers the project an important step toward improving freight transportation, expanding trade connectivity and strengthening the efficiency of the country’s logistics network.
The official handover from Daewoo to the General Company for Ports of Iraq marks another milestone in the development of Grand Faw Port and its supporting infrastructure. It also advances the transport connections intended to support Iraq’s ambitions as a regional maritime and logistics gateway.
Source: Iraqi Ministry of Transport and General Company for Ports of Iraq
