A new maritime transport service using the Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) system, launched by DB World, is creating a significant shift in the regional shipping landscape. This service offers a fast and regular maritime alternative to traditional overland routes that have often faced delays and uncertainty. With a fixed transit time of just 36 hours between Rashid Port in Dubai and Umm Qasr Port in Iraq, this service is redefining shippers’ expectations for efficiency and reliability in one of the Middle East’s most complex trade corridors.
According to Logistics Middle East, this scheduled sea route provides a predictable pathway for transporting non-containerized cargo, particularly accompanied trailers, at a time when trade between the two nations has relied for decades on cross-border trucking, which comes with security risks and fluctuating clearance times and operational costs.
The weekly service, which commenced in December 2025, has a capacity of up to 145 trailers per trip, targeting shippers who need to move high-value, time-sensitive goods between the UAE and Iraq, as well as neighboring markets. The reduction in transit time from 8-10 days via land to just 36 hours by sea marks a remarkable leap in speed and planning accuracy.
The official launch of the route was marked by the arrival of the DB World Express vessel at Rashid Port, following extensive updates at Drydocks World to adapt it specifically for carrying both trailers and drivers. The launch followed rigorous testing and preparations, leveraging operational expertise gained from a previous service for unaccompanied trailers that was introduced in 2023.
For several years, overland transport has been the primary choice for trade between the UAE and Iraq, offering flexibility. However, it has also exposed operators to unpredictable delays and additional costs associated with reloading, waiting drivers, and storage at border crossings. The new maritime solution aims to eliminate much of this uncertainty through a single journey where goods remain with the trailer from departure to arrival.
Shihab Al-Jasmi, the commercial chief for ports and terminals at DB World – GCC, stated that the launch of the service was a direct response to market demand. He added, “This unique service will connect thousands of trucks crossing several borders, significantly reduce transit times, enhance safety, and make Iraq a more attractive route for traders.”
Al-Jasmi noted that the fixed sailing times provide logistics companies with a crucial advantage in planning, emphasizing that predictability is often more valuable than marginal speed improvements.
RoRo services require specialized infrastructure, unlike container shipping, whether in terms of dock preparation or managing the movement of trailers and drivers. Al-Jasmi confirmed that teams at both Rashid Port and Umm Qasr Port have worked to streamline and unify processes, ensuring that the maritime segment acts as a seamless extension of the truck route.
The service is expected to attract a wide range of shipments, including fast-moving consumer goods, machinery, electronics, and construction materials, which are particularly important given the growing infrastructure projects in Iraq. Heavy project shipments and bulk commodities are also likely to form a significant part of the demand.
While the initial focus is on shipments heading to Iraq, the service is designed to facilitate trade flows in both directions, enabling the transportation of Iraqi exports to Dubai and subsequently connecting them to regional and global markets through UAE ports.
Although sustainability is not the primary concern for customers, shifting shipping from long overland routes to maritime transport does contribute to reducing emissions and fuel consumption, along with lessening road congestion.
As interest from shippers in more controlled and reliable alternatives rises, DB World envisions that this maritime corridor could become a regional logistical backbone, capitalizing on Iraq’s geographical position as a link between the Gulf and the Levant, potentially reshaping trade flows in the region.