Iraq begins importing gasoline through Syria — The National

Iraq has begun importing gasoline through Syria: the first shipment, totaling 32,000 tonnes, is being unloaded at the oil refinery in Syria’s Baniyas, from where the fuel will be transported to Iraq by tanker trucks. The National reports, citing a representative of Iraq’s Ministry of Oil.

Supplies via Baniyas

According to Reuters, 77 fuel trucks have departed from Baniyas for the Iraqi border. Another vessel carrying gasoline intended for Iraq is heading to Baniyas.

Iraq is also using the overland route through Syria to export fuel oil. Since April, Syria has become the main route for such supplies, partially offsetting disruptions to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz amid the war in Iran.

Since then, at least 2.1 million tonnes of Iraqi fuel oil have been delivered to Baniyas by truck. Despite significant crude oil production volumes, Iraq faces gasoline shortages due to problems with refineries and the management of energy infrastructure.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

Transit agreement

A representative of the Iraqi ministry said that the gasoline transit agreement was concluded between Iraq’s oil marketing arm, Somo, and Qatar’s UCC Holding. The company is owned by the Al-Hayat brothers, Syrian-Qatari businessmen.

Last week, a Syrian official told the publication that increased flows of Iraqi fuel oil through Syria were discussed by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi during a meeting in New York. US special envoy to both countries Thomas Barrack attended it.

According to the official, the Syrian side also wants Iraq to inspect tanker trucks for security threats before they cross the border. In July, Iraq and Syria, with US mediation, agreed to modernize and restore the pipeline between Iraq’s oil hub of Kirkuk and the port of Baniyas. UCC Holding is also involved in the project.