BAGHDAD — Iraq has signed a deal with an international company to jointly operate 66 ships in a major step toward restoring the country's war-ravaged cargo fleet, an Iraqi official said Tuesday.
Iraq currently has only two cargo ships and four oil tankers. The country's fleet of oil tankers and cargo vessels was devastated by shelling during the 1980-88 war with Iran and attacks during the 1991 U.S.-led Gulf War.
Ismat Jiad, head of the state-run Maritime Transportation Co., said the five-year deal with Global Refinery, a unit of a company based in the British Virgin Islands, will help Iraq develop its maritime business and train merchant crews.
"This deal will give us the opportunity to develop our infrastructure and business in addition to upgrading our staff," said Jiad, adding that the deal could later be extended for five more years.
He said the fleet will transport goods to and from Iraq and will work mainly with the Iraqi government.
"All these 66 ships are ready for work now," he said.
The company is part of Saracen Trade and Investment Inc., which is registered in the British Virgin Islands.