The Ministry of Commerce announced today, Sunday, the adoption of alternative routes to secure the delivery of food materials to Iraq, while confirming that changes in marine transport routes have led to a significant increase in shipping, insurance, and fuel costs.
The director general of the General Company for Food Trade in the ministry, Lama Al-Mousawi, stated in a statement followed by the News Video Agency, that "alternative routes have been adopted to ensure the delivery of food materials amid the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz."
She added that several ships that were heading through the Strait of Hormuz have had their routes changed to alternative paths, including routes through Turkey, in addition to transporting materials from the Rabia border crossing, which requires longer delivery times that can reach up to 90 days.
Al-Mousawi confirmed that the continuation of the war and changes in marine routes have caused a significant increase in shipping, insurance, and fuel costs, as well as extended transport durations, which imposed additional challenges in securing food materials and delivering them to Iraq.