DP World Accelerates Tartous Port Revitalization to Enhance Trade in Syria

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

His Excellency Essa Kazim, Chairman of DP World, convened with His Excellency Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi, Chairman of Syria’s General Authority for Borders and Customs (GABC), to evaluate the progress on revitalizing the Port of Tartous.

The meeting aimed at fortifying the port’s infrastructure and refining logistics operations to anticipate an upsurge in cargo and trade activity. This initiative is viewed as a critical step towards facilitating Syria’s economic resurgence and enhancing regional trade connectivity.

DP World is involved in the development of the Port of Tartous under a 30-year concession agreement commenced with the Syrian government in July 2025. In accordance with this partnership, the company will allocate $800 million to update the port's capabilities, expand its capacity, and implement advanced cargo-handling systems and digitalized operations.

The redevelopment aims to elevate the port’s capacity to manage varied cargo types such as containers, general cargo, breakbulk, and roll-on/roll-off traffic. This upgrade is projected to bolster Syria’s trading connections with markets across Southern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

H.E. Essa Kazim emphasized DP World’s dedication to enhancing Syria’s maritime sector through the modernization of the Port of Tartous in line with international standards. He underscored the discussions' emphasis on expediting implementation to amplify the port's role in enhancing trade and improving Syria’s linkages with both regional and global markets.

Kazim further characterized the redevelopment as a strategic initiative intended to restore vital trade corridors and stimulate economic activity. He stated that modernized port operations would not only enhance efficiency but also facilitate trade flows in support of Syria’s reconstruction efforts.

Rizwan Soomar, CEO and Managing Director for Subcontinent, Central Asia, Levant and Egypt at DP World, noted that this project signifies a pivotal moment in Syria’s economic recovery and modernization efforts in trade.

He articulated that DP World’s collaboration with Syria’s General Authority for Borders and Customs represents a substantial opportunity to reconstruct the country's logistics framework and contribute to enduring economic growth.

Strategically situated on Syria’s Mediterranean coast, the Port of Tartous serves as the nation’s second-largest port, functioning as a key gateway linking trade routes within Europe, the Levant, and North Africa. Its location enhances regional connectivity not only through the Bosporus but also across the Suez Canal.

In addition to the port enhancements, DP World is investigating prospects for developing logistics zones, inland freight hubs, and transit corridors in partnership with local stakeholders. These endeavors are part of a broader strategy aimed at integrating the Port of Tartous within regional and international supply chain networks.

Operational in over 80 countries, DP World manages approximately 10 percent of global container traffic. The Tartous project significantly bolsters the company’s expanding Middle East presence and underscores its commitment to developing emergent trade routes.

Trade ties between the UAE and Syria are escalating swiftly; non-oil trade between the nations reached an unprecedented $1.4 billion in 2025, reflecting a 132.4 percent increase compared to the previous year. This growth signifies strengthened economic collaboration and burgeoning business relationships between the two countries.

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