Daewoo Engineering has completed the construction of the connection road linking the Al-Faw New Port in southern Iraq to Umm Qasr.
On July 8, Daewoo Engineering announced that it has finalized the 62-kilometer highway project connecting the Al-Faw New Port and Umm Qasr, receiving the final completion approval from the Iraqi Ports Authority.
This project, valued at $440 million, was a design and construction package executed solely by Daewoo Engineering, with construction taking place over 45 months from August 2021 to May 2025, followed by a one-year defect liability period leading to final completion.
The Al-Faw connection road consists of a four-lane highway, two bridges, one interchange, and three roundabouts. It serves as a key logistics route and is the first segment of the Iraqi government's national strategic project, 'Development Road.'
In the future, this road is expected to be a critical infrastructure for an international logistics network extending to Europe via Turkey, positioning Iraq as a logistics hub connecting the Middle East and Europe.
Daewoo Engineering has established itself as a leading partner in the Al-Faw New Port development project, successfully completing this connection road following the world's longest breakwater and submerged tunnel.
The project faced significant challenges, as most of the route was built on soft ground with an average thickness of 20 meters, making differential settlement management a key issue. Daewoo Engineering ensured stability by applying construction methods suited to the soft ground characteristics, along with precision measurement systems and data-driven reverse analysis techniques.
For the major bridge sections crossing railways and highways, 50-meter long-span PSC girders were used. The road surface was constructed with a high-performance pavement structure system designed to withstand the repeated loads of heavy cargo vehicles.
During the project, Daewoo Engineering encountered difficulties due to global supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, logistics delays from armed conflicts in neighboring countries, and border movement restrictions. The company proactively secured key materials and expanded storage areas while deploying skilled overseas personnel and its own equipment to minimize delays.
Additionally, most core processes were managed directly to ensure quality and adherence to the schedule. Even during the defect liability period, the company continued site maintenance and risk management, ultimately obtaining the final completion approval.
As Middle Eastern countries accelerate the expansion of logistics networks and port infrastructure, Daewoo Engineering's extensive experience in large-scale overseas infrastructure projects may enhance the competitive edge of domestic construction firms in future bids.
Since starting the world's longest breakwater project in Iraq in 2014, Daewoo Engineering has undertaken a total of nine projects worth approximately $3.78 billion in the Al-Faw New Port development, including container terminal quay and dredging works, the connection road, and the submerged tunnel.
A representative from Daewoo Engineering stated, “Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical risks in the Middle East, this project is a successful example of overseas infrastructure that meets timelines, quality, and safety standards. We will continue to expand business opportunities in Iraq and the larger Middle Eastern infrastructure market based on our accumulated technological expertise.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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