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Current ferry service serves only Iraqis

DUBAI - The ferry service linking Port Rashid to Iraq's Umm Qasr Port currently caters to only Iraqi citizens who wish to go home or those in Iraq who have a UAE visa and wish to come to the UAE.

Ferry operators Naif Marine Services said that they plan to introduce three weekly trips to Umm Qasr Port starting next week. He added that at present an average of 250 passengers are ferried in each trip.

"Our service to Iraq is currently limited to Iraqi passport holders for technical reasons. Although, passport control at the Umm Qasr Port terminal is fully functioning, the government in Iraq does not have the facilities to issue visas to foreigners wishing to visit the country at the present stage," said Michel Nye, General Manager of Naif Marine Services.

Naif Marine Services resumed regular scheduled passenger service to the port of Umm Qasr in Iraq on July 17, after receiving approval from the Coalition Provisional Administration (CPA) of Iraq.

The first voyage was limited to 35 passengers to test the waters and immigration procedures in Iraq prior to full operation. They resumed operation on a weekly basis with one vessel, Jebal Ali 2, with provision to increase the service to three times a week depending on passengers' demand, which proved to be steady and increasing. Passengers are able to book space for their personal vehicle on the ferry as well. The voyage takes 36 hours and a range of facilities is available on board.

Mr Nye said that in March this year, prior to the outbreak of war, the company decided to suspend trips to Umm Qasr to ensure the safety of its ships, crew and passengers.

Passenger services restarted between Dubai and Umm Qasr in April, with the first ferry leaving Dubai on April 23 for Iraq. The vessel Jebal Ali-3 was the first ferry to arrive in Iraq after the end of hostilities.

For many Iraqi nationals living and working in the UAE, the Port Rashid Passenger Terminal has been their only direct link to their homeland.