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7/16/2025, 5:42:16 PM
Syria's General Authority for Land and Seaports and Dubai-based logistics behemoth DP World have inked a historic 30-year concession deal for the development and operation of the Port of Tartus, with a combined investment of USD 800 million.
Announced in Damascus on July 13, 2025, the agreement marks a turning point in Syria's economic recovery and the growth of maritime trade. Since more than ten years of conflict have damaged the nation's infrastructure, Tartus' reconstruction is a significant step in restoring Syria's place in regional supply chains.
Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa witnessed the signing of the deal by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and Group CEO of DP World, and Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi, Chairman of the General Authority for Land and Seaports. Under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) framework, the agreement gives DP World the sole right to develop and run the port through 2055.
Across Tartus' container, break bulk, general cargo, and RoRo
terminals, the investment will be used to install cutting-edge cargo-handling machinery, modernise vital infrastructure, and deploy digital logistics systems. Making Tartus a competitive trading hub linking Europe, the Levant, and North Africa is the main objective.
Notably, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem emphasised the importance of global trade and resilient supply chains in Tartus, stating that the investment will strengthen regional connectivity and economic opportunities, highlighting the potential of the trade gateway.
Tartus, Syria's second-largest port, is strategically located on the Mediterranean coastline, linking Southern Europe to the Middle East. Its proximity to the Bosporus Strait and Suez Canal enhances its regional hub potential.
Moreover, Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi underlined the significance of international cooperation in rebuilding Syria's maritime infrastructure, stating that partnering with DP World will modernise and enhance trade efficiency, and transform Tartus into a strategic gateway linking Syria to regional and international markets.
Additionally, the Tartus redevelopment project aims to improve logistics across multiple layers, including container terminal enhancements, cargo yard improvements, and automation and data system integration for operational efficiency.
DP World plans to explore opportunities beyond port infrastructure in Syria, including free zones, inland logistics hubs, and overland transit corridors, to support economic diversification and strengthen Syria's national trade capabilities, potentially triggering increased foreign investment in its logistics and transportation sectors.
According to industry watchers, the agreement may signal the start of more foreign investment in Syria's transport and logistics industries.
Besides, by expanding its operations in over 75 countries, the project helps DP World increase its presence in the Middle East. The company is actively involved in port and logistics development projects worldwide and currently handles more than 9% of the world's container traffic.
The project's BOT agreement structure permits DP World to fully own and run the facilities for the duration of the 30-year concession; following that, the port will be returned to Syrian authorities. A practical approach to infrastructure development in post-conflict areas, the BOT model has been successfully applied in a number of international port developments.
Furthermore, Syria will be able to handle higher volumes of containerised, breakbulk, and RoRo traffic once the upgraded Tartus Port is operational, greatly increasing the country's cargo throughput capacity. Thus, direct maritime trade links that have been damaged over the last ten years may be restored.
Ultimately, regional shipping lines and logistics firms looking for new routes and increased capacity in the Eastern Mediterranean—a region increasingly impacted by changing geopolitical dynamics—may also show renewed interest as a result of the deal.
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