Iraq signs with company to create 66-freighter fleet

THE Iraq government has signed a deal with an international company to jointly operate 66 cargo ships, reports The Associated Press.

Iraq intends to rebuild its maritime capability, including the training of seafarers and to augment the two cargo ships and four tankers it now possesses.

"The country's fleet of oil tankers and cargo vessels was devastated by the 1980-88 war with Iran, and air attacks during the 1991 Gulf War," said AP.

The five-year contract will link Iraq's state-run Maritime Transportation Co with Global Refinery, a unit of a company based in the British Virgin Islands.
(Source:www.schednet.com)