The Ministry of Transport confirmed the continued smooth flow of navigation in Iraqi ports, stating that operations were not significantly affected by a recent incident involving a cargo ship within the country's territorial waters. Hussein Ahmed, Director of Information and Government
Communication at the Ministry, clarified in a press statement that port operations experienced only a brief and limited stoppage at the moment the incident occurred. However, they swiftly returned to their normal pace and resumed usual activities without any notable
disruption. Ahmed added that teams from the Supreme Maritime Authority, affiliated with the Ministry, were among the first to reach the ship's location immediately after the incident. They promptly began verifying the crew's safety and ensuring there were no human casualties.
Furthermore, the teams conducted on-site investigations to confirm the absence of any potential oil spill that could pose a threat to the marine environment. The official indicated that specialized teams initiated immediate coordination with security agencies and official maritime authorities, leading
to the implementation of a set of necessary precautionary measures. These measures included isolating the vessel and keeping it under close surveillance to ensure the continued safety of maritime navigation. In a related context, the spokesperson affirmed that the material damage
sustained by the ship's hull is considered very slight, according to reports received from the Ministry of Oil. Concerned authorities are awaiting the final official investigation results, which will reveal the precise causes of the incident and identify the source
of the damage. This clarification from the Ministry follows an incident where a fuel oil tanker, flying the flag of the Republic of Panama, sustained damage within Iraqi territorial waters. The Ministry described this incident as the first of its kind
in the region, with its preliminary assessment, based on initial indicators, suggesting it was an accidental and unintentional occurrence, particularly given the absence of any official claim of responsibility from any party.
