As global shipping grapples with geopolitical risks and chokepoints like the Suez Canal, Iraq’s Development Road Project is quietly positioning the country as a strategic player in international trade.
The $17 billion infrastructure corridor — stretching from Grand Faw Port in southern Iraq to the Turkish border — is being hailed as one of Iraq’s most significant infrastructure undertakings since the 1920s, with the potential to reshape Eurasian logistics.
A Timely Response to Global Supply Chain Challenges
The project’s importance has been amplified by the ongoing Red Sea crisis and Middle East tensions. With shipping routes disrupted, costs rising, and delays mounting, Iraq’s overland corridor is emerging as a timely alternative.
Recent reports highlight how freight can now reach the Gulf from Europe in just 10 days via Iraq, bypassing the Suez Canal. Digitalized border crossings have cut waiting times by 92%, while the TIR system ensures secure trans-border movement.
“The Development Road is poised to become a key regional trade artery,” said Dr. Ahmed Al-Hakim, Transport Infrastructure Expert at the University of Baghdad.
Grand Faw Port: The Cornerstone
At the heart of this vision is the Grand Faw Port, under construction in Al Faw, with the world’s longest breakwater. The port is designed to handle 7.5 million containers annually and link to a 1,200 km road and rail network to Turkey — expected to be fully operational by 2028.
Plans also include 10 new cities, industrial hubs, and logistics zones along the corridor, positioning Iraq as a regional trade connector.
A Regional and Geopolitical Shift
Supported by Turkey, Qatar, and the UAE, the project reflects Iraq’s shift from conflict recovery to economic integration.
“The Development Road is a vital step towards a diversified Iraqi economy and enhanced regional cooperation,” said Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region.
Turkey’s involvement, connecting the corridor to Europe, strengthens its regional influence and links with initiatives like IMEC and China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
A Complement, Not a Competitor to the Suez Canal
While not a replacement for the Suez Canal, the Development Road challenges reliance on singular trade routes and enhances global supply chain resilience.
“It’s a driver of prosperity that taps into regional connectivity,” noted Ranj Alaaldin, Fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs.
If realized, Iraq’s Development Road could stand as a landmark project of the country’s post-conflict resurgence — restoring its role in connecting Asia and Europe in a way not seen in centuries.
Source: supplychaindigital.com
