How Iraq UN/LOCODEs Are Structured
Iraq uses the IQ country prefix followed by a three-character location identifier. Examples in the indexed dataset include IQUQR for Umm Qasr, IQBAS for Basrah and IQKAZ for Khor Al Zubair.
Seaports in Iraq: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Iraq has 14 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, with maritime trade concentrated along the Shatt al-Arab and the northern Persian Gulf.
Use this guide to compare Iraq port codes, principal cargo clusters, indicative trade lanes and available port-level reference data.
Iraq Port Overview
Iraq's seaborne cargo activity is focused on its limited Gulf coastline. Umm Qasr is the principal general-cargo and container gateway, while Basra-area facilities also support energy and bulk movements. Indexed coverage includes maritime facilities as well as associated inland and logistics locations.
14
Iraq ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
—
Official national port cargo throughput in tonnes, 2025; YoY not published in a comparable public series
MOT 2025
—
Official national container throughput in TEU, 2025; YoY not published in a comparable public series
MOT 2025
—
National commercial berth total, 2025; YoY not published in a comparable public series
MOT 2025
How many seaports does Iraq have?
Iraq has 14 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its November 2026 database snapshot. This is an indexed-coverage figure, not a claim that every listed location is an active deep-sea container port.
What is Iraq's busiest commercial port?
Umm Qasr is generally regarded as Iraq's principal commercial gateway for containerized and general cargo. Ecer Freight records the Umm Qasr locations under codes IQUQR, IQUMQ, IQUQN and IQUQS.
Which area handles most of Iraq's maritime cargo?
The southern Basra Governorate and northern Gulf cluster handles most of Iraq's maritime cargo, including Umm Qasr, Basrah (IQBAS), Basra (IQBSR) and Khor Al Zubair (IQKAZ).
Top Iraq Ports by Commercial Relevance
The following reference table follows the activity order in the Ecer Freight sample. Iraq does not have a consistently published, comparable 2025 port-by-port container league table for these facilities; therefore, rank, throughput and YoY fields are shown as unavailable rather than estimated.
Indexed port and terminal reference, with 2025 throughput fields subject to official publication.
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Umm Qasr | IQUQR | — | — | Northern Gulf |
| — | Basrah | IQBAS | — | — | Basra cluster |
| — | Umm Qasr | IQUMQ | — | — | Northern Gulf |
| — | Umm Qasr(n) | IQUQN | — | — | Northern Gulf |
| — | Umm Qasr(s) | IQUQS | — | — | Northern Gulf |
| — | Basra | IQBSR | — | — | Basra cluster |
| — | Khor Al Zubair | IQKAZ | — | — | Southern Gulf |
| — | Fao | IQFAO | — | — | Southern Gulf |
Iraq Port Regions and Cargo Clusters
Northern Gulf and Umm Qasr
Umm Qasr is Iraq's main commercial seaport cluster and the principal gateway for containerized imports, project cargo and general merchandise.
Indexed facilities in the Umm Qasr cluster.
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Umm Qasr | IQUQR | Umm Qasr / — | General cargo and container gateway |
| Umm Qasr | IQUMQ | Umm Qasr / — | Commercial port facilities |
| Umm Qasr(n) | IQUQN | Umm Qasr / — | Terminal-level reference location |
| Umm Qasr(s) | IQUQS | Umm Qasr / — | Terminal-level reference location |
Basra and Shatt al-Arab Cluster
Basra-area locations connect Iraq's southern industrial base with maritime supply chains. Cargo profiles can include general cargo, bulk commodities, energy-related movements and feeder-linked freight.
Indexed Basra-area locations.
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basrah | IQBAS | Basra / — | Port and maritime logistics reference |
| Basra | IQBSR | Basra / — | Urban and regional cargo connection |
| Khor Al Zubair | IQKAZ | Khor Al Zubair / — | Industrial, bulk and project cargo |
Southern Gulf and Offshore Energy Locations
The southern Gulf group supports specialized maritime and energy-related activity. Port suitability, vessel access and operational status should be confirmed for each shipment.
Indexed southern Gulf locations.
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fao | IQFAO | Fao / — | Coastal and project logistics |
| Khor Al Amaya | IQKAA | Khor Al Amaya / — | Offshore energy-related activity |
| Mina Al Bakr | IQMAB | Mina Al Bakr / — | Oil and energy-related marine operations |
Inland and Land-Linked Logistics Locations
Baghdad, Erbil, Kirkuk and Mosul are inland logistics locations in the indexed dataset rather than seaports. They may be relevant to multimodal routing after ocean discharge in southern Iraq.
Indexed inland logistics references.
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baghdad | IQBGW | Baghdad / — | Inland distribution and customs destination |
| Erbil | IQEBL | Erbil / — | Inland distribution and regional logistics |
| Kirkuk | IQKIK | Kirkuk / — | Inland industrial and regional cargo |
| Mosul (ak Mawsil) | IQOSM | — / — | Inland distribution reference |
Iraq Port Codes and UN-LOCODEs
City-Level and Terminal-Level Codes
A city or port-area code may coexist with separate terminal or facility references. The Umm Qasr entries IQUQR, IQUMQ, IQUQN and IQUQS should therefore be checked against the carrier, terminal operator and shipping instruction.
How to Verify an Iraq Port Code
Verify the code against the UNECE UN/LOCODE framework and cross-check the current Ecer Freight port directory before booking or preparing export documents.
Shipping from Iraq: Main Trade Lanes
Indicative routing depends on vessel schedules, transshipment choices, cargo type, security conditions, customs procedures and final inland destination. Transit times require carrier confirmation.
Iraq to East Asia
A common pattern for containerized imports and exports uses Umm Qasr with transshipment through major Gulf hubs before reaching East Asian markets.
Iraq to the Mediterranean
Cargo may move from southern Iraq through Gulf transshipment networks and onward to Mediterranean gateways for European and North African delivery.
Iraq to Northern Europe
Northern European supply chains generally require feeder or hub connections from Iraq's southern Gulf gateways and additional inland delivery planning.
Iraq to the Gulf and Indian Subcontinent
Shorter regional services can connect Iraq with Gulf markets and Indian Ocean networks, although sailing frequency and direct-call options vary.
Sources and Methodology
Port names and codes are separated from national throughput statistics. Indexed coverage reflects the Ecer Freight database snapshot, while public statistical figures are reported only where a comparable and sufficiently reliable source is available.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party indexed coverage of 14 Iraq ports and terminals, snapshot November 2026.
- UNECE — UN/LOCODE structure and location-code reference framework.
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — maritime and navigational reference information for port identification.
- Iraq Ministry of Transport — official transport-sector context and port-statistics reference point; 2025 figures are subject to publication and reconciliation.
- Ecer Freight — freight routing, service and quotation context; indicative transit times require carrier confirmation.
Iraq Port FAQ
How many seaports does Iraq have?
Iraq has 14 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the November 2026 database snapshot. The figure includes maritime, terminal-level and associated logistics locations in the indexed dataset.
What is the main seaport in Iraq?
Umm Qasr is generally Iraq's main commercial seaport for containerized and general cargo. The Ecer Freight sample includes IQUQR, IQUMQ, IQUQN and IQUQS for Umm Qasr locations.
What is the UN/LOCODE for Basrah?
The indexed Ecer Freight sample lists Basrah as IQBAS and also lists Basra as IQBSR. The exact code should be checked against the carrier booking, terminal instruction and current port directory.
Which Iraq region handles most sea freight?
The southern Basra and northern Gulf area handles most Iraq sea freight, with Umm Qasr as the principal commercial gateway and Khor Al Zubair serving industrial and bulk-related activity.
Are Baghdad, Erbil, Kirkuk and Mosul seaports?
No. Baghdad, Erbil, Kirkuk and Mosul are inland or land-linked logistics locations in the indexed dataset. Ocean cargo for these destinations generally requires inland transport after discharge at a southern Iraq gateway.
How current are the Iraq port statistics?
The Ecer Freight database snapshot is dated November 2026 and the latest complete statistical reference year is 2025. Public port-by-port throughput and YoY figures are not consistently available for all listed Iraq locations, so unavailable values are not estimated.
How can a shipper request an Iraq sea-freight quote?
A shipper can request an FCL or LCL quotation using the relevant rate-search service. Final pricing depends on cargo details, origin and destination, equipment, sailing schedule, customs requirements and inland delivery.
Editorial note: This Iraq port guide combines Ecer Freight's first-party port directory with publicly available maritime and transport references. Indexed port coverage is reviewed with the database snapshot, while routing guidance and time-sensitive operational information should be reconfirmed with carriers, terminals and authorities before shipment.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Iraq: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact