Iraq to start operating TIR transit system next week, 26 MARCH

 Iraq to start operating TIR transit system next week

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq’s Border Ports Commission revealed on Monday that it will start applying the International Road Transport (TIR) transit system in the country next week.

On April 1, 2025, the TIR system will be completely operational in Iraq, a move marking a new age of global trade and logistics, according to a statement cited by the state news agency (INA).

With this significant accomplishment, Iraq is getting ready to firmly establish its role as a key commercial center in the Middle East, improving the efficiency and security of commodities transportation both inside and outside of its borders.

The TIR system will be essential to the success of Iraq’s strategic project of the Development Road, which will connect the southern and northern regions of the country and serve as an effective trade route connecting Asia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Turkey, and Europe.

Transportation and logistics firms are prepared to begin TIR operations from departure locations such as Mersin in Turkey to the Gulf States through Iraq’s port of Umm Qasr. Compared to a minimum of 14 days across the Red Sea, or 26 days if ships will reroute around Africa, trial operations have demonstrated that this trip can be finished in less than a week.

The Iraqi Minister of Transport, Razzaq Al-Saadawi, affirmed that the TIR system’s operation in Iraq is a noteworthy accomplishment as it sets up the country for a new stage of possible investment and regional commerce with neighboring countries.

It is anticipated that the step would save transit time by 80 percent and expenses by 38 percent, which will have a major positive economic impact and provide new employment prospects.

As the only worldwide transit system, TIR permits the shipment of commodities in sealed load compartments under customs supervision from a country of origin to a country of destination through a multilateral and mutually recognized system.

https://www.iraqinews.com/iraq/iraq-to-start-operating-tir-transit-system-next-week/