Iraq’s General Company for Land Transportation (GCLT) has successfully completed a trial freight journey under the TIR system along a new corridor linking Turkey, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.
The route runs from the Ibrahim Al-Khalil border crossing to the Arar crossing, with the trial completed within the planned schedule and without reported obstacles, according to Director General Murtada Karim Al-Shahmani.
Key features of the new corridor include:
- Direct TIR transport between Turkey, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia
- No requirement to transfer cargo between trucks at border crossings
- Transit visas granted to Turkish drivers accompanying TIR shipments
- Improved coordination between Iraqi and Saudi authorities
The company said the route is expected to reduce transit times and logistics costs, while improving the flow of goods.
Officials added that the corridor strengthens Iraq’s position as a key land bridge connecting Asia, Europe, and Gulf markets, supporting regional and international supply chains.
The initiative follows coordination with the International Road Transport Union (IRU) and Iraqi transport authorities to implement international best practices under the TIR framework.
The company noted that the successful trial could pave the way for expanding the route to include additional shipments and countries, in line with government plans to position Iraq as a major transit hub.
