Jebel Ali Port

Shipping Arabia, October 14, 2026 – Iraq’s State Company for Maritime Transport (SCMT) has announced the resumption of the Iraqi Line shipping service after several years of suspension, with its first voyage scheduled for October 15, 2026, from Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates to Umm Qasr Port in Iraq.

The relaunch marks the return of Iraq’s national maritime carrier to shipping operations. The initiative aims to strengthen maritime transport, facilitate cargo movement through Iraqi ports and support the country’s participation in regional trade.

The service will resume in cooperation with maritime transport company SAM, which is partnering in the initiative to restore Iraqi Line’s shipping activities.

Iraqi Line Shipping Service to Begin October 15

The first voyage of the revived Iraqi Line shipping service is scheduled to depart from Jebel Ali Port on October 15, bound for Umm Qasr Port. The announcement identifies the route as the starting point for the carrier’s return to maritime operations.

Promotional material accompanying the announcement confirms the inaugural voyage date and invites customers to book containers for the service. The Jebel Ali–Umm Qasr connection will provide a maritime transport option linking the United Arab Emirates with Iraq.

The cooperation with SAM forms part of the arrangements for restarting the service after its prolonged suspension. However, the announcement does not specify the vessels to be deployed, the frequency of future sailings or any additional ports that may be included in the service.

Strengthening Iraq’s National Maritime Transport Sector

According to the State Company for Maritime Transport, the return of Iraqi Line is intended to provide a national shipping option for transporting containers and other cargo. The initiative also seeks to strengthen the presence of Iraq’s national carrier in regional maritime trade.

The company emphasized that restoring the service would help support commercial activity and cargo transportation through Iraqi ports. By resuming maritime operations, Iraqi Line aims to contribute to the development of the country’s shipping sector and reinforce the role of national maritime transport in facilitating trade.

The announcement, issued under the name of SCMT General Manager Ahmed Jassim Al-Asadi, highlights the importance of restoring Iraqi shipping services as part of broader efforts to support the country’s maritime transport activities.

The relaunch also reflects an effort to expand the participation of Iraq’s national carrier in regional cargo movements, particularly container transportation. The planned connection between Jebel Ali and Umm Qasr represents the first announced step in that return.

With the inaugural voyage scheduled for October 15, the Iraqi Line shipping service is preparing to resume operations and reestablish its presence in maritime cargo transportation following years of inactivity.

Source: State Company for Maritime Transport (SCMT)

Shipping Arabia, October 11, 2026 – DP World and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) have signed a term sheet outlining the framework for a proposed automotive logistics and processing facility at Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The planned development would consolidate vehicle storage, pre-delivery inspection and other value-added services at a single port-side location, supporting automotive trade between Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

The agreement marks the next step in the longstanding collaboration between the two companies. The proposed Jebel Ali automotive logistics facility aims to expand vehicle storage capacity and strengthen the port’s role in regional automotive supply chains.

Proposed Automotive Logistics Facility to Integrate Vehicle Services

Under the proposed development, DP World and MOL would bring several automotive logistics and processing activities together within a dedicated facility at Jebel Ali Port.

The facility would combine vehicle storage, pre-delivery inspection and other value-added automotive services in one location. This integrated approach is intended to expand storage capacity while supporting more efficient vehicle logistics operations through the port.

The development would also strengthen automotive trade flows connecting major vehicle manufacturing centers in Asia with growing markets across the Middle East and Africa.

By bringing these services together at a port-side location, the companies aim to support the long-term development of automotive trade through Jebel Ali.

Jebel Ali Port Handled Nearly 1.1 Million Vehicles in 2025

The proposed Jebel Ali automotive logistics facility follows a year of substantial vehicle handling activity at the port.

According to DP World and MOL, Jebel Ali Port handled nearly 1.1 million vehicles in 2025, highlighting its role as a major automotive trade gateway serving regional and international markets.

The planned facility is intended to support the continued growth of automotive trade through the port, particularly vehicle movements between Asian manufacturing centers and markets in the Middle East and Africa.

Expanding storage capacity and consolidating vehicle processing services form central elements of the proposed development.

DP World and MOL Continue Partnership Discussions

The signing of the term sheet establishes a framework for the proposed facility and represents a further step in the existing relationship between DP World and MOL.

Both companies have indicated their intention to continue discussions on the development, building on their longstanding cooperation in the maritime and logistics sectors.

The project remains at the proposal stage, with the companies outlining the intended scope of the facility and its role in supporting automotive logistics at Jebel Ali Port.

The proposed development would bring additional vehicle storage and processing capabilities to a port that already handles significant automotive volumes, supporting the companies’ shared objective of strengthening vehicle trade connections between Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Source: DP World and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL)