Iraq's export of crude oil via trucks through Syria is expected to begin as early as mid-month, Bloomberg reported on the 7th (local time).

This transportation route bypasses the Strait of Hormuz.

Yousef Qeblawi, CEO of the state-run Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC), stated in an interview with Bloomberg that day that the Iraqi government has requested assistance in exporting crude oil in addition to existing fuel oil shipments.

"An agreement between the two governments is nearly finalized, and truck exports of Iraqi crude will begin as soon as possible," he said, adding, "We hope the first convoy of crude-laden trucks will arrive in Syria by mid-October."

Iraq currently transports fuel oil to the Syrian Mediterranean port of Baniyas using about 1,000 trucks per day, where it is then loaded onto tankers for export.

Each truck carries approximately 220 barrels.

CEO Qeblawi added that the number of crude oil transport trucks is also expected to exceed 1,000 per day, and that plans are underway to set up storage tanks for Iraqi crude in Baniyas.

However, Bloomberg projected that the volume transported by trucks will account for a small share of Iraq's total crude oil exports, which averaged about 2.7 million barrels per day last month.

Iraq has suffered major blows to its crude oil exports and has been suffering from financial difficulties following the outbreak of the war with Iran in late February.

In addition to Syria, Iraq also sends fuel oil via trucks through Jordan, and has agreed with Turkey to transport at least 750,000 barrels per day to the Mediterranean port of Ceyhan through a northern pipeline.

Syria and Iraq also discussed plans last summer to restore the 800-kilometer Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline, which has been virtually non-operational since 2003, with construction expected to begin in the first quarter of next year.

This plan is also cited as a way to reduce Iran's influence in Hormuz.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)