DP World, Syria’s GABC Discuss Accelerating Port of Tartous Development Plans

Shipping Arabia, May 18, 2026 – DP World and Syria’s General Authority for Borders and Customs (GABC) discussed accelerating development plans for the Port of Tartous during a meeting held in Damascus, highlighting the port’s growing strategic role in supporting Syria’s economic recovery and regional trade connectivity.

The meeting brought together His Excellency Essa Kazim, Chairman of DP World, and His Excellency Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi, Chairman of Syria’s GABC, to review progress on the port redevelopment project and explore opportunities to enhance infrastructure and logistics efficiency in preparation for rising cargo volumes and trade activity.

The discussions focused on strengthening the port’s position as a regional maritime gateway connecting Southern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, while improving operational capabilities to support Syria’s reconstruction and economic revitalization efforts.

The Tartous development project is being implemented under a 30-year concession agreement signed between DP World and the Syrian government in July 2025. Under the agreement, DP World committed to invest $800 million to modernize port infrastructure, expand capacity, and introduce advanced cargo-handling equipment and digital systems.

DP World stated that the modernization program aims to enhance the port’s ability to handle multiple cargo segments, including containers, general cargo, breakbulk, and roll-on/roll-off traffic, while improving operational efficiency and trade flow reliability.

Essa Kazim said DP World is committed to supporting the development of Syria’s maritime sector in line with international operational standards, adding that discussions focused on accelerating implementation and reinforcing the port’s role in regional trade connectivity.

Rizwan Soomar, CEO and Managing Director for Subcontinent, Central Asia, Levant and Egypt at DP World, described the project as a major milestone in Syria’s economic recovery and logistics modernization efforts, noting that the partnership creates opportunities to reshape trade and logistics networks across Syria and the wider region.

Located on Syria’s Mediterranean coast, the Port of Tartous is the country’s second-largest port and a strategic gateway linking regional and international shipping routes through the Mediterranean, Bosporus, and Suez corridors.

DP World also confirmed it is exploring opportunities to develop logistics zones, inland freight hubs, and transit corridors in cooperation with local stakeholders as part of broader plans to integrate the port into regional and global supply chains.

Trade relations between the UAE and Syria have continued to strengthen, with non-oil trade between the two countries reaching a record $1.4 billion in 2025, representing a 132.4% year-on-year increase.

Source: DP World