BAGHDAD — Iraq has a new navy port.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has constructed a Forward Operating Base at the port of Umm Qasr. Officials said the project cost $3.26 million and would help Iraqis secure waterways and generate stability, Middle East Newsline reported.
"Stability is something that Iraq is trying very hard to accomplish," Col. Gary Johnston, commander of Corps of Engineers in the southern Gulf region, said. "They won't be able to do that unless they have all the elements in place."
Officials said the Umm Qasr facility would provide the Iraqi Coast Guard with a secure forward operating base along the Khor Az Zubair waterway. They said the base would be used to help fight oil smugglers, a major drain on the economy.
"If the smugglers know that Iraq is serious and has the resources to confront them, maybe it will make them move their operations elsewhere or consider a new line of work," Johnston said.
Umm Qasr contains boat and vehicle hardstands, boat ramp, a pier with floating dock, perimeter fencing, a fuel point and a power supply facility. Johnston said at a later stage the base would enhance electrical service, water supply, communications, additional ship mooring and maintenance.