Attendees
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) Maritime Committee and the State Company for Maritime Transportation (SCMT).
Attendees
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) Maritime Committee and the State Company for Maritime Transportation (SCMT).
IBBC Maritime Committee Delegation:
- Mr. Colin Findlay – Head of Members
- Mr. Ali Mashkoor – IBBC Baghdad Office Manager
- Mr. Ahmed Shaban – Chairman of the IBBC Maritime Committee and Chairman of Al Zaman Group (AZG)
- Representatives of Al Zaman Group
SCMT:
- Mr. Ahmed Jasem – Director General of SCMT
- Senior representatives from SCMT
The meeting focused on the challenges currently faced by SCMT, including:
- Ship and crew registration certificates
- Iraq Flag Authority
- ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security Code) compliance
- Human resources training and capacity building
Following the IBBC conference at Cumberland Lodge, Windsor (2024), the Iraqi Minister of Transportation officially announced the establishment of the Iraq Britain Maritime Committee within IBBC.
An MoU between the Ministry of Transportation/SCMT and IBBC was drafted; however, its signing has been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. Both sides remain committed to finalizing the agreement at the earliest opportunity.
- SCMT is one of Iraq’s most profitable state companies, maintaining close alignment with international shipping standards due to its active fleet and global voyages.
- Nevertheless, Iraq’s exclusion from the IMO “White List” presents significant operational and compliance challenges.
Priority Requirement: Establishment of a Maritime Academy
- SCMT emphasized the urgent need for an IMO-recognized maritime academy in Iraq.
- Such an institution is critical to ensure that Iraqi crew members receive internationally approved licenses and certificates, enabling them to sail to international ports.
- Unlike the Ports Authority, which focuses primarily on local operations, SCMT requires strict compliance with global maritime standards.
Proposed Actions
- Al Zaman Group (AZG), in coordination with IBBC Maritime Committee, will support the facilitation of the maritime academy initiative.
- A joint technical working group will be formed between SCMT and IBBC Maritime Committee experts to identify and summarize the requirements Iraq must fulfill to comply with IMO standards.
- Based on these findings, AZG and IBBC Maritime Committee will advance discussions with IMO on Iraq’s case file.
