‘The RWG service reinforces BGT’s commitment to providing world-class service and supporting Iraq’s role in the global trade network’
The MV Vira Bhum calls at BGT last 29 October to kick off its RWG service. Vira Bhum is the first RCL vessel to dock at the Port of Umm Qasr and the first Thai-flagged vessel to reach Iraq.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ICTSI
Basra Gateway Terminal (BGT), the Iraqi subsidiary of international port developer International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), has announced the inaugural call of the RCL West India-Gulf (RWG) service last October.
In a statement on Wednesday, ICTSI said the RWG service strengthens the country’s trade connectivity by introducing faster, more efficient shipping connections to India and the Middle East.
RWG is operated jointly by the Regional Container Line (RCL) and Bengal Tiger Line (BTL).
With a 21-day turnaround time, the service strategically rotates through key ports: Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Jebel Ali and Umm Qasr, before returning to Mundra. Iraq’s premier multi-purpose cargo handling facility is located at the Port of Umm Qasr.
“We are excited to welcome RCL and BTL as partners in advancing trade and connectivity in the region. The RWG service reinforces our commitment to providing world-class service and supporting Iraq’s role in the global trade network,” Romeo Salvador, BGT’s chief executive officer, said.
The maiden call also highlights BGT’s importance as Iraq’s most advanced terminal.
With modern infrastructure, streamlined operations and proximity to major regional markets, BGT serves as a vital gateway for businesses looking to tap into Iraq’s emerging economy.
RCL and BTL have each deployed a vessel to the service — the Vira Bhum and the Intersea Traveler.
A total of three vessels with capacities ranging from 2,500 to 2,700 TEUs will be deployed to the service to ensure reliability.
BGT is the gateway of choice in Iraq, offering shipping lines and cargo owners unparalleled access to efficient, scalable, and future-ready port solutions to meet the demands of modern global trade.
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