Q&A: Farhan al-Fartousi, director general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq

AL-MAQAL PORT, BASRA - Among the many important roles it plays in Iraq’s energy sector, the General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI) is at the center of a fast-track project to import liquefied natural gas by ship in time for the summer season of high electricity demand.

The state-run company, which reports to the Ministry of Transportation, has been dredging a channel and preparing a berth at the Khor al-Zubair port for the Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRUs) that will enable Iraq to receive shipments of liquefied gas. The project is on schedule for completion by June, according to Farhan al-Fartousi, the director general of GCPI.