International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI)'s subsidiary, Basra Gateway Terminal (BGT), last month set a new productivity record of 105 moves per hour – the highest ship-to-shore crane productivity in Iraq.

The new record, achieved this January, during the handling of the 5,652-Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) Ever Uberty, replaced BGT’s previous record of 101 moves per hour achieved in November.

BGT recorded a total of 3,084 moves during the vessel's January call.

With the continued increase in trade volumes, Phillip Marsham, BGT chief executive officer expressed enthusiasm about the new milestone.

“We are constantly striving to increase our operational productivity to maintain our competitive edge in the industry," he explained.

"With this new record, our Port of Umm Qasr can easily compete with the largest and most efficient ports in the world,” Marsham stressed.

BGT boosted its productivity levels after parent company ICTSI invested USD250 million to develop three new berths at BGT East in 2019.

The 14-meter deep berths were served by post-Panamax cranes capable of handling of up to 14,000-TEU vessels.

ICTSI also invested to upgrade BGT’s general cargo and Ro-Ro facilities for dedicated warehousing and specialized facilities serving the oil and gas sector.

Offering the highest productivity levels in the country using the newest equipment and unmatched client-focused service delivery, BGT solidified its position as a leader in the maritime industry.

In 2014, ICTSI signed a contract with the General Company for Ports in Iraq to manage, operate and rehabilitate terminal facilities in North Port Umm Qasr, Iraq and to develop and expand container handling capacity through BGT.