Latakia Port Infrastructure Upgrades Target Cargo Handling Efficiency and Faster Clearance
Shipping Arabia, October 9, 2026 – Syria is advancing Latakia Port infrastructure upgrades and operational improvements aimed at strengthening cargo-handling capabilities, accelerating cargo movements and simplifying administrative procedures. The ongoing rehabilitation program includes new port equipment, improvements to operational facilities and measures to facilitate trade-related transactions.
Tamim Sawaghi, Deputy Head of the General Authority for Borders and Customs for Port Affairs, conducted an inspection visit to Latakia Port to review ongoing development projects and assess operational performance.
The visit focused on infrastructure rehabilitation, cargo movement efficiency and procedures designed to improve services for traders and transport operators. Officials also reviewed measures to facilitate cargo reception, unloading and transportation within the port.
Latakia Port Infrastructure Upgrades and Cargo-Handling Equipment
During the inspection, Latakia Port Director Abdul Hamid Al-Wahb briefed Sawaghi on the rehabilitation and equipment modernization activities currently underway.
The projects include upgrading port infrastructure and introducing new machinery to support cargo-handling operations. These improvements aim to strengthen the port’s operational capacity and increase the efficiency of cargo reception, unloading and transportation.
The addition of handling equipment forms part of efforts to improve service quality and facilitate cargo movements through the port. The rehabilitation work also addresses the operational requirements of port facilities and cargo-handling areas.
Officials reviewed the organization of cargo yards and other port facilities during the visit. This assessment focused on maintaining orderly operations and improving the movement of goods through different sections of the port.
The General Authority for Borders and Customs is overseeing these improvements as part of its efforts to develop the performance of Syria’s maritime ports.
One-Stop Service System Aims to Accelerate Port Procedures
Administrative efficiency represents another important component of the operational improvements at Latakia Port.
During the inspection, Sawaghi reviewed the port’s one-stop service system and its role in simplifying procedures for traders and transport operators.
The system aims to improve coordination between the departments responsible for processing port-related transactions. By bringing together relevant administrative services, the initiative seeks to reduce processing times and facilitate the completion of required procedures.
Greater coordination between port departments is also intended to improve the flow of transactions associated with cargo movements. These measures complement the infrastructure and equipment improvements currently underway.
The inspection therefore addressed both the physical handling of cargo and the administrative processes that support commercial operations.
Strengthening Syria’s Maritime Port Operations
The inspection visit forms part of the General Authority for Borders and Customs’ ongoing field supervision of maritime port operations and rehabilitation activities.
Through these visits, the authority aims to monitor progress, assess operational requirements and support improvements in the quality of port services.
At Latakia Port, the current development efforts focus on improving cargo-handling efficiency, organizing operational areas and reducing administrative processing times.
Together, these measures are intended to strengthen the port’s ability to accommodate cargo movements and provide more efficient services to shipping-related businesses, traders and transport operators.
The authority emphasized that developing maritime port performance and improving service quality remain important objectives in supporting trade activity and meeting the needs of Syria’s economic sectors.
Source: General Authority for Borders and Customs – Syria
