Port Management

Shipping Arabia, October 16, 2026 – Chief Engineer Abdullah Ati Abdullah has officially assumed his duties as Director General of the General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI), succeeding Capt. Alaa Al-Aqili. The leadership transition follows official orders issued by the relevant authorities.

Abdullah takes over the leadership of the company following a professional career within GCPI, where he progressed through various positions and gained engineering, administrative and management experience.

His appointment comes as the company continues its efforts to develop Iraq’s maritime transport sector and advance strategic port infrastructure projects, particularly the Al Faw Grand Port project.

New Director General Brings Experience From Within GCPI

Abdullah has built his professional career within the General Company for Ports of Iraq, gaining experience across engineering and administrative responsibilities.

Throughout his career, he developed his technical and management capabilities while progressing through the company’s organizational structure.

He also served as an elected member of GCPI’s Board of Directors, having secured the confidence of company employees through an internal election.

His professional background and previous involvement in the company’s management provide experience relevant to his new responsibilities as Director General.

Al Faw Grand Port Remains a Key Strategic Project

The leadership transition comes amid expectations that the new Director General will contribute to the continued development of the General Company for Ports of Iraq and improvements in its performance.

The company plays an important role in supporting Iraq’s maritime transport and shipping activities, with ongoing development efforts aimed at strengthening the country’s port sector.

Among its major strategic initiatives, the Al Faw Grand Port project remains a central priority. The project was specifically highlighted in the announcement as one of the key developments expected to continue under the company’s new leadership.

The appointment carries expectations of maintaining progress on strategic projects and further developing the company’s activities. These efforts are intended to strengthen Iraq’s economic and commercial position through continued investment in its maritime and port sectors.

Source: Iraqi Ministry of Transport / General Company for Ports of Iraq

Shipping Arabia, October 12, 2026 – QTerminals has appointed Adnan El Yacoubi as Managing Director of Hamad Port in Qatar, bringing more than 17 years of international experience in port operations, terminal management and operational leadership across major maritime markets.

The appointment, announced by QTerminals on October 1, places El Yacoubi at the helm of Hamad Port as the company prepares for its next phase of development. His professional background spans senior operational and executive positions across Belgium, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco and the Netherlands.

Extensive International Experience in Port Operations

El Yacoubi joins QTerminals following his tenure as Chief Operations Officer at Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) in Jordan, where he served from July 2024 to September 2026.

Before joining ACT, he was Head of Operations at Malaysia’s Port of Tanjung Pelepas from April 2021 to July 2024. In that position, he oversaw terminal operations and managed a workforce of more than 4,000 employees at one of the world’s largest container terminals.

His earlier career included several senior operational and planning positions within APM Terminals. He served as Head of Shared Planning Center, supporting terminal planning activities across international locations, including Africa and Europe.

El Yacoubi also held the position of Head of Terminal Operations Planning at APM Terminals MedPort Tangier in Morocco between 2017 and 2020. His responsibilities included establishing operational planning functions, implementing terminal operating systems and developing planning procedures.

Additionally, he served as Yard Manager at APM Terminals Maasvlakte II in the Netherlands and previously held terminal planning management positions in Morocco and the Netherlands.

These assignments provided him with extensive experience in container terminal operations, operational planning, workforce management and performance improvement across different international markets.

Leading Hamad Port’s Next Phase of Development

As Managing Director, El Yacoubi will lead the overall management and operations of Hamad Port, with a focus on operational performance, service quality and business growth.

In its announcement, QTerminals highlighted his international leadership experience, operational expertise and commitment to continuous improvement as key strengths supporting his appointment.

The company expressed confidence in his ability to guide Hamad Port through its next phase of growth and development, building on his experience managing major port operations and leading operational teams across international maritime markets.

Source: QTerminals