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March 25, 2003 USAID awards Umm Qasr contract The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) yesterday announced a $4.8 million award to Stevedoring Services of America (SSA), Seattle, Wash., for assessment and management activities at the port of Umm Qasr, Iraq. USAID says the port "is critical to its efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq." 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. SSA 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 company will be responsible for the port pilots who will guide ships up the channel, and will manage the access of trucking companies to the port and establish a system of controls to avoid theft and corruption. SSA will also assist in locating and identifying obstacles that could affect the movement of shipping traffic, in coordination with local and national authorities. Under the terms of the contract SAA will also facilitate cargo-handling services such as warehousing, shipment tracking, refrigerated and other cargo storage and the onward transport of shipments. SSA's services aim to reduce vessel turn- around time and increase vessel productivity. Recommend This Page Enter an email address HOME