Al-Maqal Port, Commercial port in Basra, Iraq.
Al-Maqal Port is a commercial facility on the Shatt al-Arab River with multiple berthing points distributed along the waterfront. The infrastructure extends over a considerable stretch and handles ship traffic of various types.
The facility was established in 1919 by British forces during their occupation of Mesopotamia and was Iraq's first modern port. It marked the beginning of modern maritime operations in the region.
The port has long served as a meeting point for merchants from different regions and cultures. These international connections shaped Basra and gave it a cosmopolitan character that travelers can still sense today.
The port has draft restrictions that affect the size of vessels that can dock. Visitors should note that not all berthing areas are operational and activity varies depending on the season.
Several berthing areas have been unused for decades and contain abandoned equipment and vessels. These forsaken structures tell the story of earlier times when shipping activity was more intense.
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