Iraq adds to old oil tanker fleet

BAGHDAD, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The Iraqi Oil Tanker Co. is expanding its tanker fleet for the first time since the start of the Iraq-Iran war.

The first of three Chinese-made tankers will be launched Monday in an official ceremony, Iraq Oil Ministry spokesman Assim Jihad told the Voices of Iraq news agency.

Jihad said the tanker, with a 14,000 ton capacity, is the first since the company was shut during the Iraq-Iran war.

IOTC controls 22 vessels, from 1,500 tons to 155,000 tons capacity, but is in need of new models because of disrepair.

A second 14,000 ton tanker will arrive in two weeks and a 16,800 ton tanker in the next few months.

"The company took all necessary measures to ensure that the three tankers are well operated and signed a contract with a Norwegian company to train Iraqi staff," Jihad said.