Transport in Iraq
Encyclopedia
Transport in Iraq consists of railways, highways, waterways, pipelines, ports and harbors, marines and airports.
2,032 km
standard gauge:
2,032 km
For more than two decades there have been plans for building a metro
system in Baghdad
. It is possible that part of the tunnel
s have been built, but that they are now used militarily for sheltering, hiding and escaping purposes. U.N. inspectors have heard of the tunnels for years, but have not found their entrances. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/02/21/60minutes/main541565.shtml?cmp=EM8707 map http://www.gulflink.osd.mil/declassdocs/dia/19961031/961031_950719_22010825_93a.html http://english.pravda.ru/world/2003/01/27/42583.html In November, 2008, an overground service dubbed the Baghdad Metro
began service. Local government in Baghdad is arranging feasibility studies for the construction of two new underground lines
A 37km monorail is planned in Najaf, which would link three Shi'ite holy sites.
The first Iraqi Republic Railways
train to Basra
since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein
's regime arrived on April 26, 2003. British troops hope to use the 68 km long railway to transport much-needed aid supplies from the port town of Umm Qasr
to Basra.
In June 2011, it was announced that planning had begun for a new high-speed rail line
between Baghdad and Basra, with a memorandum of understanding
with Alstom
having been signed.
) but may vary in couplings
. Neighbours with electrified railways - Turkey and Iran - both use the world standard 25 kVAC
Turkey - via Syria Iran - one link partially under construction and a second link planned
45,550 km
paved:
38,400 km,
unpaved:
7,150 km (1996 est.)
32 ships (with a volume of or over) totaling /
ships by type:
cargo ship
14, passenger ship
1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker
13, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off ship 2 (1999 est.)
total:
80
over 3,047 m:
20
2,438 to 3,047 m:
39
1,524 to 2,437 m:
4
914 to 1,523 m:
7
under 914 m:
10 (1999 est.)
total:
33
over 3,047 m:
3
2,438 to 3,047 m:
6
1,524 to 2,437 m:
2
914 to 1,523 m:
10
under 914 m:
12 (2008 est.)
Railways
total:2,032 km
standard gauge:
2,032 km
For more than two decades there have been plans for building a metro
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
system in Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
. It is possible that part of the tunnel
Tunnel
A tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed except for openings for egress, commonly at each end.A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some tunnels are aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations or are sewers...
s have been built, but that they are now used militarily for sheltering, hiding and escaping purposes. U.N. inspectors have heard of the tunnels for years, but have not found their entrances. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/02/21/60minutes/main541565.shtml?cmp=EM8707 map http://www.gulflink.osd.mil/declassdocs/dia/19961031/961031_950719_22010825_93a.html http://english.pravda.ru/world/2003/01/27/42583.html In November, 2008, an overground service dubbed the Baghdad Metro
Baghdad Metro
The Baghdad Metro is a surface commuter train that operates in the Iraqi city of Baghdad. It is operated by the state owned Iraqi Republic Railways. It resumed operation in October, 2008. The train runs about between Baghdad Central Station and the southern neighborhood of Dora. It operates...
began service. Local government in Baghdad is arranging feasibility studies for the construction of two new underground lines
A 37km monorail is planned in Najaf, which would link three Shi'ite holy sites.
The first Iraqi Republic Railways
Iraqi Republic Railways
Iraqi Republic Railways Company ' is the national railway operator in Iraq.-Network:...
train to Basra
Basra
Basra is the capital of Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq near Kuwait and Iran. It had an estimated population of two million as of 2009...
since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti was the fifth President of Iraq, serving in this capacity from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003...
's regime arrived on April 26, 2003. British troops hope to use the 68 km long railway to transport much-needed aid supplies from the port town of Umm Qasr
Umm Qasr
Umm Qasr , is a port city in southern Iraq. It stands on the canalised Khawr az-Zubayr, part of the Khawr Abd Allah estuary which leads to the Persian Gulf. It is separated from the border of Kuwait by a small inlet...
to Basra.
In June 2011, it was announced that planning had begun for a new high-speed rail line
Baghdad–Basra high-speed rail line
The Baghdad–Basra high-speed rail line is a proposed high-speed rail line that is planned to operate between the cities of Baghdad and Basra in Iraq.-Announcement:...
between Baghdad and Basra, with a memorandum of understanding
Memorandum of understanding
A memorandum of understanding is a document describing a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties. It expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action. It is often used in cases where parties either do not imply a legal commitment or in...
with Alstom
Alstom
Alstom is a large multinational conglomerate which holds interests in the power generation and transport markets. According to the company website, in the years 2010-2011 Alstom had annual sales of over €20.9 billion, and employed more than 85,000 people in 70 countries. Alstom's headquarters are...
having been signed.
Maps
Railway links with adjacent countries
All adjacent countries generally use (standard gaugeStandard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
) but may vary in couplings
Coupling (railway)
A coupling is a mechanism for connecting rolling stock in a train. The design of the coupler is standard, and is almost as important as the railway gauge, since flexibility and convenience are maximised if all rolling stock can be coupled together.The equipment that connects the couplings to the...
. Neighbours with electrified railways - Turkey and Iran - both use the world standard 25 kVAC
Turkey - via Syria Iran - one link partially under construction and a second link planned
-
- KhorramshahrKhorramshahrKhorramshahr is a city in and the capital of Khorramshahr County, Khuzestan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 123,866, in 26,385 families.Khorramshahr is a port city located approximately north of Abadan...
, IranIranIran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, to BasraBasraBasra is the capital of Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq near Kuwait and Iran. It had an estimated population of two million as of 2009...
, IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
- almost complete (2006) - KermanshahKermanshahKermanshah is a city in and the capital of Kermanshah Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 784,602, in 198,117 families.The overwhelming majority of Kermanshahi people are Shi'a Muslims...
, IranIranIran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, and the Iraqi province of Diyala - construction commenced. - see (http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0505301394220945.htm) or 2005May 2005 in rail transport-May 1–7:May 3* – The Iranian president Mohammad Khatami leads the ceremony inaugurating passenger rail service between Mashhad and Bafq, Iran....
. Kuwait - no railways Saudi Arabia - Jordan - partially constructed - break of gauge / Syria - same gauge - at Rabiya/Nurabiya
- Khorramshahr
Highways
total:45,550 km
paved:
38,400 km,
unpaved:
7,150 km (1996 est.)
Waterways
1,015 km; Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by maritime traffic for about 130 km; channel has been dredged to 3 m and is in use; Tigris and Euphrates Rivers have navigable sections for shallow-draft watercraft; Shatt al Basrah canal was navigable by shallow-draft craft before closing in 1991 because of the Gulf WarPersian Gulf
- Umm Qasr PortUmm Qasr PortUmm Qasr Port is Iraq's only deep water port, part of the city of Umm Qasr.Iraq's second port in scale of size and goods shipped to the port of Basra, it is strategically important, located on the western edge of the al-Faw peninsula, where the mouth of the Shatt al Arab waterway enters the Persian...
- Khawr az ZubayrKhor Al ZubairKhor Al Zubair is a city in Basra in Iraq, one of the major industrial areas as well as to contain the Khor Al Zubair Port on a set of laboratories and companies ....
- Al Basrah has limited functionality
Merchant marine
total:32 ships (with a volume of or over) totaling /
ships by type:
cargo ship
Cargo ship
A cargo ship or freighter is any sort of ship or vessel that carries cargo, goods, and materials from one port to another. Thousands of cargo carriers ply the world's seas and oceans each year; they handle the bulk of international trade...
14, passenger ship
Passenger ship
A passenger ship is a ship whose primary function is to carry passengers. The category does not include cargo vessels which have accommodations for limited numbers of passengers, such as the ubiquitous twelve-passenger freighters once common on the seas in which the transport of passengers is...
1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker
Oil tanker
An oil tanker, also known as a petroleum tanker, is a merchant ship designed for the bulk transport of oil. There are two basic types of oil tankers: the crude tanker and the product tanker. Crude tankers move large quantities of unrefined crude oil from its point of extraction to refineries...
13, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off ship 2 (1999 est.)
Airports
There are about 113 airports. (1999 est.) Major airports include- Baghdad International AirportBaghdad International AirportBaghdad International Airport, originally Saddam International Airport, , BIAP is Iraq's largest airport, located in a suburb about west of downtown Baghdad in the Baghdad Governorate...
- Basra International Airport
- Mosul International AirportMosul International AirportMosul International Airport is an airport located at Mosul, Iraq, with a concrete runway. It became a civil airport in 1992 with the construction of a new terminal...
- Erbil International AirportErbil International Airport-Cargo airlines:-External links:** A catalog of airlines serving EIA with contact information and firsthand experience....
- Sulaimaniyah International AirportSulaimaniyah International AirportSulaimaniyah International Airport is an airport 15 kilometers outside of the city of Sulaimaniyah, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The airport has facilities for both cargo and passengers. Sulaimaniyah International Airport has three terminals for departures, arrivals and VIP...
- Najaf International Airport
Airports - with paved runways
total:
80
over 3,047 m:
20
2,438 to 3,047 m:
39
1,524 to 2,437 m:
4
914 to 1,523 m:
7
under 914 m:
10 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total:
33
over 3,047 m:
3
2,438 to 3,047 m:
6
1,524 to 2,437 m:
2
914 to 1,523 m:
10
under 914 m:
12 (2008 est.)