The Cradle
13 Nov, 2026
Iraq has revived a decades-old overland export route through Syria to transport crude oil to international markets as disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Israeli war on Iran force Baghdad to seek alternative export corridors, according to Reuters.
Qatari energy firm UCC Holding began trucking between 120,000 and 150,000 barrels per day from Iraq’s southern oilfields to Syria’s Baniyas port last month under a contract with state oil marketer SOMO. The company plans to expand its fleet to 10,000 trucks, with the crude subsequently shipped to refineries across the Mediterranean.
Since the agreement took effect on 26 October, UCC has transported around 1.6 million barrels. However, logistical constraints are expected to limit further increases in shipments.
