Port Of Basrah News

The situation in Iraq has taken center stage in the oil markets. Iraq is now in a state of sectarian civil war and the most likely situation is that the country will become mired in a protracted Syria-like conflict, with the population divided along ethno-sectarian lines. But this offers little upside for currently depressed tanker markets, considers PIRA Energy Group's Weekly Oil Market Recap. Iraq’s Baiji refinery is likely to be idle for a prolonged period, requiring Iraq to import additional refined products. Possible sources are other Middle Eastern countries, Turkey and India. There is capability to import products at the southern port of Basrah, but deliveries by truck from neighboring countries will certainly be needed.

Thomas H. Wakeman III, who currently oversees The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s $2 billion port dredging program, has been appointed by the U.S. Department of Defense to assist Iraq in rebuilding its national port system. Wakeman, a White Plains, N.Y., resident, will serve as the Principal Maritime Advisor to the Iraq Ministry of Transportation for up to 18 months beginning on March 1. While in Iraq, Mr. Wakeman will be on a leave of absence from his Port Authority job as General Manager of Waterways Development in the Port Commerce Department. He will report to Ambassador Darrell Trent, the Coalition Provisional Authority’s senior advisor to the Iraqi Ministry of Transportation. Ambassador Trent reports to Ambassador L.

A U.S. Marine stands security watch on the deck of the Al Basrah Oil Terminal (ABOT). U.S. Marines from the 1st Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team (FAST) Battalion, of Norfolk, Va., are providing extra security along with the Iraqi security teams after an attempted suicide attack on Iraqi oil terminals on April 25th. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Alan D. Monyelle. Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet is taking further steps to increase…