Protests Block Access to Iraq's Umm Qasr Port

July 13, 2018

About 100 protesters demanding jobs and better state services closed access to Umm Qasr port near the southern Iraq city of Basra on Friday, port employees said.

"They blocked the road leading into the port and trucks have no way of getting in or out. Port officials have asked us to go home," one worker told Reuters.

Basra oil officials have said four days of demonstrations, which have also taken place near major oilfields, have not impacted crude production.

"We will not stop until our demands are met," said Mohammed Jabbar, 29, an unemployed college graduate.

"If they don't create jobs and improve services such as water and electricity we will close down Basra and oil production."

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was holding talks with officials in the oil-exporting city of Basra to discuss the unrest.

The harbour near Basra receives grain shipments and heavy equipment used in the oil industry.

(Reporting by Aref Mohammed; writing by Michael Georgy; editing by Jason Neely)

Logistics News

Singapore Maritime Foundation Hosts MaritimeONE Scholarship Award Ceremony 2025

Singapore Maritime Foundation Hosts MaritimeONE Scholarship Award Ceremony 2025

Great Circle Group Expands Marine Technology Services to Cape Cod

Great Circle Group Expands Marine Technology Services to Cape Cod

OPCSA Orders Eight Hybrid Konecranes RTG Cranes

OPCSA Orders Eight Hybrid Konecranes RTG Cranes

Adani Group Refuses Sanctioned Vessels at its Ports

Adani Group Refuses Sanctioned Vessels at its Ports

Subscribe for Maritime Logistics Professional E‑News

Spain hosts China Trade Talks and sees a chance to mend ties with the US
Modi launches development projects in Manipur and calls for peace
Union Pacific CEO talks to Trump about $85 billion plan for Norfolk