Iraqi Line plans a direct Jebel Ali–Umm Qasr service from 15 October

Iraq's Ministry of Transport said in an official statement, reported on 5 October 2026, that the state-owned Iraqi Line is being reactivated on Gulf shipping lanes. The ministry said the reactivation was ordered by the Minister of Transport.

The ministry presented the service as the formal re-entry of the Iraqi flag carrier into Gulf container shipping, and said it is meant to expand cargo volumes channelled through Iraq's federal ports.

According to the statement, the maiden voyage is scheduled to depart from Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates on 15 October 2026, sailing directly to Umm Qasr Port in southern Iraq.

The service is to carry both bulk and containerised cargo.

• Departure scheduled for 15 October 2026
• Direct route, as announced
• Bulk and container cargo

The ministry has not published the vessel, the sailing frequency, the capacity or the tariffs for the service.

As with any new service, the first sailing date is a schedule, not a confirmed arrival.

Once sailings start, shippers moving cargo from the UAE to southern Iraq will have one more direct sea option alongside the services already operating.

MIDTRANS will check schedules and rates when they are published. Send us your cargo details for a current route and price to Iraq.

• Iraqi News: Iraqi Line to resume Gulf maritime route (Ministry of Transport statement) · 2026-10-05