Business booming in Iraq's container repair sector

IRAQI contractor Miran Village Company, in response to increased demand, has been granted a new, expanded container repair yard (CRY) at Joint Base Balad (JBB), the main logistics hub for US operations in Iraq.

The 80th Ordnance Battalion's commander, Chris Mohan, said that the expansion marked a milestone in the growth and development of the company at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. "It started out with the requirement to repair 150 containers per month. Now they're repairing 2,000 containers per month."

The commander said that it was "all about responsible drawdown. In order to rapidly ship equipment out, we have to have seaworthy containers." Repairing containers in-country at JBB, he added - currently the world's second-busiest airport - helps the US Military save time and money.

It took roughly six months to coordinate the CRY relocation and expansion, in what was a joint effort between the US Army, US Air Force, and the Iraqi people.

Miran Village Company, owned by Hashim Mahdi, was awarded with its first container-repair contract in August, 2008, which required the firm to repair 1,440 containers a year to US Coast Guard standards.

Miran Village has repaired over 10,000 containers to date. Its new facilities are 28 acres in size, up from just three acres previously.

(Source: www.Schednet.net)