Logistics services in Iraq.

Iraq logistics overview: modes, trade and gateways

Logistics services in Iraq rely on coastal access, airports, rail and extensive land borders. Containerized freight moves through seaports such as Al Basrah, Umm Qasr, Khawr Al Zubair and offshore oil terminals. Scheduled air services operate from airports including Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Al Najaf and Kirkuk.

Rail covers about 2,272 km and has handled some freight. Trucks can move cargo across borders with Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Turkey, linking ocean ports and neighboring markets.

Freight forwarders in Iraq work around moderate logistics performance and specific infrastructure limits. The overall Logistics Performance Index is 2.4, below the world median of 2.7, with customs at 2.1 and infrastructure at 2.2. Shippers should ask how a provider manages these weaker areas and lead times.

Iraq trades heavily with China, India, the UAE, Turkey and the USA. Forwarders familiar with ports like Umm Qasr and Al Basrah, and with major shipping lines that maintain Iraqi offices, can coordinate sea legs and inland distribution more effectively.

FCL and LCL shipping from and to Iraq centers on a small coastline with several ports. There are 6 seaports, including Al Basrah, Umm Qasr, Al-Basra Oil Terminal, Khawr Al Amaya and Khawr Al Zubair. Cargo pier depths range up to about 23.2 m at Al-Basra Oil Terminal and about 15.5 m at Khawr Al Amaya.

Iraq handled about 933,000 TEU in 2019 and has a liner shipping connectivity index of 32.3 in 2021. Global lines with offices in cities such as Basra, Baghdad, Arbil and Umm Qasr can arrange FCL and LCL routings through Iraqi ports.

Air freight in Iraq uses several international airports with scheduled service. Main gateways include Baghdad International, Basra International, Erbil International, Al Najaf International and Kirkuk International. These airports link major population and industrial centers to regional and long-haul networks.

With exports focused on crude and refined petroleum, petroleum coke, gold and natural gas, air freight is more suited to higher-value imported items such as jewelry, electronics and urgent automotive shipments. The country has about 73 airports in total, offering options for domestic distribution.

Rail and road freight in Iraq connects seaports, production areas and neighboring states. The rail network extends about 2,272 km and carried around 249 million tonne-km in 2010, providing an additional mode alongside trucking on key corridors.

Trucks cross borders with Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Turkey, feeding imports such as refined petroleum, cars and broadcasting equipment and moving exports to regional partners. Short coastline length means road and rail links to ports like Umm Qasr and Al Basrah are central to inland distribution.

Customs clearance in Iraq reflects mid-range performance in global comparisons. Iraq has been a member of the World Customs Organization since 1990. It is not a WTO member. The Logistics Performance Index customs score is 2.1 compared with a world median of 2.6, suggesting more variability in border procedures.

Export lead times were about 39 days in 2016, while imports averaged about 7 days. Shippers should ensure complete documentation, including commercial invoice, packing list and transport document, and work closely with brokers to manage timing at seaports and airports.