[Seattle-editorial] Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) awarded contract to manage the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr

[Tom Jackson]

War profiteers:


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US awards contract to manage, rebuild Iraqi port at
Umm Qasr

AFX European Focus
25 March 2003

WASHINGTON-- The US has awarded a 4.8 mln usd contract
to manage the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr, recently seized
and held by US and British troops. The US Agency for
International Development said the contract, the
second to be awarded after Washington sought contracts
from a group of US firms, was awarded to the
Seattle-based Stevedoring Services of America (SSA).
"SSA will be responsible for the effective operation
of the port, allowing food and other humanitarian and
reconstruction materials and supplies to be delivered
smoothly and efficiently," USAID said in a statement.

"(It) will provide an initial port assessment, develop
improvement plans to overcome port-imposed
constraints, and supply technical expertise to ensure
an adequate flow of through shipment," the agency
said.

The company will be responsible for port pilots who
will guide ships to the piers, manage the access of
trucking companies to the port as well as police the
facility, USAID said.

The deal is the second of eight civilian contracts for
the postwar reconstruction of Iraq tendered by USAID
on Jan 31 that are reportedly valued at more than 900
mln usd.


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