Iraq: so.ihorno Trade and tho Shatt-al-Arab
Iraq's scab-jrnc impon* 7 amounted to iroun;'. four million tons, of which sore two-thirds passed through theaterway that forms the Iraq-Ir.in border in this area, to Dnsrah, Iraq's principal dry cargo port. The balance of trade by sea is normally handled at Um Qosr, which ir. located on an inlet adjacent to the Kuwaiti border and iu not dependent on the Shatt-al-Arab for access.
Interdiction of seaborne imports via the Shatt-al-Arab
Current shipping patterns to Iraq show Basrah is seriously
congested with delays ranging from5 days.
have some serious implications for Iraq. Iraq liaset food importerumber oi years. Recently lack of other consumer goods hasrincipal sore point with Iraq's burgeoning middle class, elaxation of restriction! on imports and other austerity measures that have characterized the Baathist regime.
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On tho othersscnti.il consunrr goodr. probably could be shippoJ overland at increased costs if ocean transport ware disrupted, in ronponoo to reopening of the
Iraqi-Syrianear ago, the port of Tartous in Syria has been handling an0 trucks ir.or.thly for Iraq ferried over from Greece. Much of this trade isto have boon diverted from more cx|<cnsivo overland routes through Turkey, Indicating that some excess capacity exists in Turkish rail and highway toutcs. An excellent highway froa Kuwait that connects with the Iraqi road and rail syotena at both Zubair and Uasrnh may alsoess vulnerable option to the Shatt-al-Arab trade route. Any of these alternatives might wellerious slowdown in delivery of heavy equipment. While investment unquestionably would suffer, output from existing facilities might be relatively unaffected for an extended period of time. In most sectors Iraq hanwo to throe months supply of
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