Iraq Launches Advanced Maritime System to Monitor Territorial Waters

The High Iraqi Maritime Authority officially inaugurated the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) project to track, organize navigation, and coordinate the entry and exit of all maritime vessels within the nation's sovereign and territorial waters. The Director General of the Authority, Chief Marine Engineer Ali Abdul Latif Al-Tamimi, stated that the system fully aligns with the Ministry of Transport's directives to enhance operational capabilities and technical readiness. He noted that the initiative elevates vessel tracking efficiency and continuous route verification, thereby strengthening the security of territorial waters and revitalizing maritime and commercial operations. Al-Tamimi highlighted the project's strategic significance, rooted in Iraq's geographic position along the Shatt al-Arab and the Arabian Gulf, as well as the vital role of local ports in linking the domestic economy to global markets. He emphasized that upgrading maritime monitoring mechanisms boosts safety standards, effectively curtails illicit activities and operational risks, and ensures maximum protection for critical infrastructure and marine ecosystems. Furthermore, the new system streamlines information sharing and regulatory oversight while optimizing the smooth flow of shipping traffic, fostering sector efficiency and attracting maritime investments in line with international conventions, including SOLAS and UNCLOS 1982.