Iraq Prepares to Restore National Flag on Its Ships After Decades Shipping Arabia, December 28, 2024 — Iraqi maritime officials announced plans to reestablish the Iraqi flag on its fleet, transitioning from the Jordanian flag used since the 1990s due to sanctions. This change aligns with upcoming international inspections and reflects Iraq's readiness to comply with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards, bolstered by developments at the Grand Al-Faw Port and the increasing regional support for the Development Road project, linking China to Europe. Since the 1990s, Iraqi ships have sailed under the Jordanian flag, a measure initiated after a 1996 memorandum of understanding between Iraq and Jordan, following the lowering of the Iraqi flag in 1990 due to international sanctions. The anticipated switch back to the Iraqi flag is a significant step in Iraq's ongoing efforts to meet IMO requirements, including key conventions such as the STCW for seafarers' training and certification, the III Code for state responsibilities, as well as SOLAS and MARPOL conventions, load lines, cargo agreements, and the ISPS Code for security. Abbas Kazem, Director of Maritime Inspection at the General Company for Ports, emphasized the strategic importance of meeting IMO standards to enhance Iraq’s maritime reputation. Successful adherence to these standards is expected to increase the number of global shipping lines entering Iraqi ports, especially with the operationalization of the Grand Al-Faw Port. He noted that the mandatory ship inspections scheduled for next year are crucial for Iraq to rejoin the IMO White List and raise its flag on global ports. Mazen Al-Kaabi, Iraq's Permanent Representative to the IMO, expressed confidence in Iraq's commitment to international maritime safety standards. He highlighted that the adherence to these standards would not only facilitate the entry of larger vessels into Iraqi ports but also reinforce Iraq’s position in international maritime forums and enable the registration of its ships in global ports under the Iraqi flag. This shift signifies a pivotal moment for Iraq as it moves towards reclaiming its place in the global maritime community, with potential economic benefits including increased employment and commercial activity within its ports. Source: 964 Media #Iraq #Jordan #Maritime #ISPS #IMO #Fleet
