The head of the Diyala Chamber of Commerce confirmed that maritime and land transport form the backbone of Iraqi trade, with the ports of Basra receiving over 50% of incoming goods, while land transport from neighboring countries accounts for more than 45% of imports, particularly construction materials and heavy machinery. In contrast, air freight constitutes only about 5% of total imports, limited to special or perishable goods.
He explained that recent disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have directly increased shipping and insurance costs, burdening importers and negatively affecting consumer prices in local markets. He noted that some traders have resorted to alternative routes via neighboring countries, but these options raise final costs due to additional transport and customs fees.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime passage for oil and goods exports, and regional tensions have raised significant economic concerns in countries heavily reliant on maritime imports, like Iraq, due to their direct impact on shipping costs and commodity prices.
