MARSEILLE`s CMA CGM is to open an inland terminal near Abu Ghraib in the Baghdad Governorate in June, which will exclusively manage and operate Iraq`s only dry port.
CMA CGM said the bonded terminal would give customers the opportunity, for the first time, to clear customs near Baghdad instead of at the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr.
"This important upgrade shows the intention of the CMA CGM Group to facilitate its customers` business in Iraq and to strengthen its roots in this flourishing market," it said, according to Lloyd`s Loading List. The dry port will be connected to CMA CGM`s inland transport network, with a possible railway connection three kilometres from the site and fast in-bond transit from Umm Qasr.
The storage facilities for full containers, LCL and refrigerated cargo will benefit from 24 hour-surveillance and security, keeping cargo safe, the company said.
CMA CGM has been present in Iraq for more than 30 years with four offices, two feeders connecting Umm Qasr with Khorfakkan hub, and the exclusive concession of Terminal No 4 in Umm Qasr port.
The new port will cover 165,000 square metres, 90,000 square metres of yard space and 12,000 TEU of storage capacity. It will contain seven buildings covering 8,500 square metres, a customs office with a container scanner to avoid time-consuming manual inspections.