Iraq Launches 1st Tanker in 27 Years

Are the Iraqis gearing up for a major oil export drive? They have just launched their first new ship in 27 years and delivery of two more tankers is expected within three months.

The Dijlah — the name for the Tigris River in Arabic — was inaugurated in the southern port city of Basra on Monday. The 14,000-ton capacity, Chinese-built ship will help ease export problems Iraq has encountered as its beleaguered but vital oil industry begins to recover from years of war and neglect, officials said.

Basra Gov. Mohammed al-Waili led the ceremony and said the Dijlah would help “spur the growth” in Iraq’s oil industry.

But what ever happened to Iraq’s oil law, I thought it was meant to be passed about three months ago?