DP World has secured a landmark 30-year concession agreement with Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports to develop and operate the Port of Tartus, marking a major stride in Syria’s post-war economic reconstruction. The agreement, signed in Damascus in the presence of Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, entails an $800 million investment by DP World to upgrade and modernise the port’s infrastructure.
Tartus, Syria’s second-largest port located on the Mediterranean coast, will be transformed into a critical regional trade hub connecting Southern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. This redevelopment is intended to restore and enhance Syria’s maritime trade capacity following over a decade of conflict and underinvestment. The project, structured as a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, will see DP World fully own and operate the port during the concession period, introducing new infrastructure, advanced cargo-handling equipment, and digital systems to boost operational efficiency across container and general cargo terminals.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and Group CEO of DP World, emphasised the strategic importance of the deal, stating, “We see strong potential in Tartus to serve as a vital trade gateway and look forward to strengthening regional connectivity and economic opportunity through this investment.” He underscored the role of trade in fostering long-term stability and prosperity for Syria and the broader region.
From the Syrian side, Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi, Chairman of the General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, highlighted the project as a significant milestone for Syria’s maritime sector. He noted that partnering with DP World would allow Syria to modernise its trade infrastructure, rebuild key trade lanes, and support the national economy, offering enhanced opportunities for the Syrian people. Badawi described the agreement as a shared vision to transform Tartus into a strategic gateway linking Syria with regional and international markets, which will underpin sustainable growth.
The redevelopment will enable Tartus port to handle a wide range of cargo types including general cargo, containers, breakbulk, and roll-on/roll-off traffic, expanding Syria’s trade potential as it reintegrates into regional and global markets. Additionally, DP World intends to explore the development of free zones, inland logistics hubs, and transit corridors in collaboration with local partners, contributing to broader economic diversification and trade facilitation efforts.
This agreement comes against the backdrop of recent international developments that have softened sanctions on Syria, with the European Union easing restrictions and the United States announcing plans to lift certain sanctions, paving the way for renewed economic ties and investment opportunities.
DP World, with operations spanning over 75 countries and handling approximately 9.2% of global container traffic, brings decades of expertise in port and logistics infrastructure development. The Tartus project complements its existing Middle Eastern portfolio and represents a significant step towards reviving Syria’s economic infrastructure after years of conflict and isolation.
The $800 million investment signals not only a commercial opportunity but also a broader hope for regional economic recovery and connectivity, positioning Tartus as a pivotal trade node that could influence the logistics landscape across the Mediterranean, Levant, and North Africa.
Source: Noah Wire Services
