Basra Gateway Terminal welcomes first RCL service to Iraq

The Vira Bhum during her maiden call to BGT last 29 October under the RWG service is the first RCL vessel to call the Port of Umm Qasr and the first Thai-flagged vessel to reach Iraq.

Basra Gateway Terminal (BGT), Iraq’s premier multi-purpose cargo handling facility located at the Port of Umm Qasr, received the inaugural call of the RCL West India-Gulf (RWG) service last October.

Operated jointly by Regional Container Line (RCL) and Bengal Tiger Line (BTL), the RWG service strengthens the country’s trade connectivity by introducing faster, more efficient shipping connections to India and the Middle East. With a 21-day turnaround time, the service strategically rotates through key ports: Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Jebel Ali, and Umm Qasr, before returning to Mundra.

“We are excited to welcome RCL and BTL as partners in advancing trade and connectivity in the region. The RWG service reinforces our commitment to providing world-class service and supporting Iraq’s role in the global trade network,” said Romeo Salvador, BGT chief executive officer.

The maiden call highlights BGT’s importance as Iraq’s most advanced terminal. With modern infrastructure, streamlined operations, and proximity to major regional markets, BGT serves as a vital gateway for businesses looking to tap into Iraq’s emerging economy.

RCL and BTL have each deployed a vessel to the service – the Vira Bhum and the Intersea Traveler. A total of three vessels with capacities ranging from 2,500 to 2,700 TEUs will be deployed to the service to ensure reliability.

A subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), BGT is the gateway of choice in Iraq, offering shipping lines and cargo owners unparalleled access to efficient, scalable and future-ready port solutions to meet the demands of modern global trade.