Iraq launches 1st oil tanker in 27 years ~~ YAHOO....More Oil for the World...

Yahoo ^ | Dec 17, 2007 | AP

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

BAGHDAD - The Iraqi Oil Tanker Co. launched its first new ship in 27 years Monday, and delivery of two more tankers is expected within three months.

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The Dijlah — the name for the Tigris River in Arabic — was inaugurated in the southern port city of Basra, officials said.

The 14,000-ton capacity, Chinese-built ship will help ease export problems Iraq has encountered as its beleaguered but vital oil industry begins to recover from years of war and neglect, officials said.

Basra Gov. Mohammed al-Waili led the ceremony and said the Dijlah would help spur growth in Iraq's oil industry.

Iraq's fleet of oil tankers was battered by the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war and then by the first Gulf War.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

A sign of the continued improvement of Iraq.....

[BroncosFan]

When you read about the Basra governor, think of former US Governors like, oh, Jim McGreevey, Fife Simington, Edwin Edwards . . .

The Brits, for all the great work they're doing with elderly crap equitment in Afghanistan, essentially surrendered to Iran about a year ago. The poor guys sit at the airport compound and get mortared. As a total civilian, getting shelled makes me want to go kill bad guys. Imagine what it's like for SAS troopers.

[SMARTY]

That’s great news!

[sam_paine]

Starting timer to watch for someone to bitch about the Chinese-made tanker instead of the good news.

[Tallguy]

14,000 tons? Pretty small. Sounds like a yard oiler rather than a supertanker.

[aShepard]

...................The Iraqi Oil Tanker Co. launched its first new ship in 27 years ............................

“Launched”, kinda’ infers that it was built by the Iraqi Oil Tanker Co.,

But the article goes on the say that it was built in China.

Much less good news for the Iraq manufacturing economy.

(Somehow, there’s got to be a way for the US gov’t. to give tax incentives for US companies to donate older technology manufacturing equipment to Iraqi companies to jump start their economy and end the 50% unemployment. At their wage rates, they don’t need the latest labor saving devices, just something to produce quality goods, and train competent labor)

[NormsRevenge]

curious on the destination of the oil.. China or EUrope?

[Ulysse]

Yeapeh and never mind the so-called global warming(and local cooling)

[dblshot]

right, given that there are tankers out there over 1 million barrels. On the other hand it is something that will give Iraq income and pride and help the nation building effort. I wonder what countries the crews are from.

[reefdiver]

It should be heading this way, with discount fuel

[Tallguy]

Oh no doubt. And while good news, the article is a bit deceptive to readers who might not have a sense of scale when it comes to cargo capacity.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Don't know googling around , see a deal with S Korea for more tankers....and found this ...which gives info on the company.

Iraq launches first oil tanker in 27 years

**************************************

BASRA, Dec 17 (KUNA) -- The Iraqi Oil Tanker CompanyIraqi Oil Tanker Company

Iraqi Oil Tankers Company

 News | Profile | Officers

launched Iraq's first oil tanker in 27 years on Monday.

Spokesman of the Iraqi Oil Company told reporters here Monday that the launched tanker is the first since the Iraqi-Iranian war in 1980.

He said the 14,000 ton capacity tanker is one of three ships to be delivered to Iraq by a Chinese company, adding that the other two tankers will reach the Iraqi ports in the next three months.

The ministry made a deal with a Korean company to construct more new tankers, he pointed out.

The Iraqi Oil Tanker CompanyIraqi Oil Tanker Company

Iraqi Oil Tankers Company

 News | Profile | Officers

was established in 1972 and owns 22 ships with capacities that range from 1,500 to 155,000 tons, however many of the tankers were damaged during the Iraqi-Iranian war.

Article originally published by KUNA (Kuwait News Agency) 17-Dec-07

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Iraqi Oil Tanker Company launches first ship in 27 years

***********************************************

BAGHDAD - The Iraqi Oil Tanker Co. launched its first new ship in 27 years Monday, and delivery of two more tankers is expected within three months.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Dijlah — the name for the Tigris River in Arabic — was inaugurated in the southern port city of Basra, officials said.

The 14,000-ton capacity, Chinese-built ship will help ease export problems Iraq has encountered as its beleaguered but vital oil industry begins to recover from years of war and neglect, officials said.

Basra Gov. Mohammed al-Waili led the ceremony and said the Dijlah would help spur growth in Iraq's oil industry.

Iraq's fleet of oil tankers was battered by the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war and then by the first Gulf War.

[agere_contra]

Michael Yon has written extensively about the situation in Basra.

The British have successfully put southern Iraq back in the hands of the Iraqis. The so-called “constant bombardment” was an attempt by AQ and their MSM enablers to make it look as if the British were moving out of their barracks under heavy attack. Not true.

[A_Tradition_Continues]

Lets see....7.5 barrels per metric ton= 105,000 barrels. The standard oil tanker (VLCC) holds 2 million barrels. Yup your right...it’s not much bigger than your average bass boat.

[BGHater]

Glad the Chinese could build the Ships for them.

It’s not like they haven’t helped at all in Iraq. /s

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The South Koreans are building more ...

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From the post at #13....

The ministry made a deal with a Korean company to construct more new tankers, he pointed out.

Doesn't say South Koreans....Hmmm!

[shield]

This is great news, but a chinese tanker? They purchased this from the chicoms?