By: logistics middle east

DP World has introduced a dedicated RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) maritime service linking Dubai with Iraq, creating a faster, more reliable trade corridor for non-containerized cargo. The weekly service offers a 36-hour scheduled transit between Mina Rashid and Umm Qasr, replacing lengthy and unpredictable overland trucking routes that traditionally take eight to ten days.

Capable of carrying up to 145 accompanied trailers per voyage, the service targets time-sensitive and high-value freight moving between the UAE, Iraq, and surrounding regions. Key cargo includes construction materials, machinery, electronics, fast-moving consumer goods, and project cargo such as pipes and transformers. The vessel, DP World Express, has been specially configured to accommodate both trailers and drivers, simplifying logistics and reducing the need for transloading at borders.

Shahab Al Jassmi, Chief Commercial Officer for Ports and Terminals at DP World GCC, stated that the service responds directly to market demand for safer, more efficient trade routes. “This will reduce transit time significantly compared to current routes, enhance safety, and make Iraq a more attractive corridor for traders moving goods to other countries,” he explained.

The initiative is backed by coordinated efforts from UAE and Iraqi authorities to streamline customs, immigration, and port processes. By shifting freight from road to sea, the corridor also supports environmental goals through reduced fuel consumption and emissions.

With a focus on reliability and scalability, DP World’s new RoRo service aims to strengthen supply chain resilience, support Iraq's reconstruction and development needs, and enhance two-way trade flows across the Middle East.