Iraq takes major step toward securing coastline: "As part of the effort by the government of Iraq to increase the stability and international standing of the country, the Iraqi Navy officially welcomed two new ships to its fleet during a ceremony along the country's southern coast Feb. 14, 2010.
In 2008, Iraq was the world's 13th-largest oil producer, with 75 percent of the nation's gross domestic product and 86 percent of the government's revenue coming from oil exports.
Eighty-five percent of the Iraqi oil exports go through the ports of Umm Qasr and Basrah, making their security a vital piece of the puzzle when discussing economic and overall stability of the nation.
The primary mission of the two newest ships will be improving the security of the two key ports."
