About a year after the "agreement" to develop the port of Tartous.. what has been achieved?
DP World's Chairman of the Board of Directors of DP World, Issa Kadhim, and the Chairman of the Syrian General Authority for Ports and Customs, Qutaiba Badawi, discussed the latest developments in the implementation of the Tartous Port Development Project, which strengthens its role as a strategic gateway for maritime trade, and a key supporter of economic recovery efforts and the revitalization of trade in Syria.
During the meeting on Thursday in Dubai, they reviewed the opportunities available to enhance the efficiency of infrastructure and logistics, in order to enhance the ability of the port of Tartous to keep pace with the expected growth in trade and freight traffic, and to consolidate its position as a vital regional trade hub connecting southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
Strategic Agreement Details
In July 2025, the General Authority for Land and Maritime Ports in Syria and DP World signed a strategic agreement with an investment value of US$ 800 million, to invest, operate, expand and manage the port of Tartous, and to develop its operational and logistical infrastructure in accordance with international standards, at the People's Palace in Damascus.
According to DP World, the plans for the development of Tartous Port are part of this agreement with the aim of developing the infrastructure of the Port of Tartous, expanding its capacity, modernizing cargo handling systems, in addition to introducing advanced operational and digital solutions, noting that many of these goals have been achieved in the context of the development projects that have taken place over the past months.
In November 2025, the UAE Group officially took over its operations at the Port of Tartous, within the framework of the agreement, where the first phase of the development program includes the evaluation of existing infrastructure and equipment, the deepening of marine channels, docks and docks, the rehabilitation and replacement of handling equipment, the introduction of advanced digital technologies, in addition to the implementation of training programs for national cadres to raise operational efficiency and achieve international standards.
The port also saw the entry into service of the new tug "Al-Fath", as this project represents a strategic turning point towards modernizing Syrian ports and enhancing their competitiveness, making the port of Tartous a pivotal hub for trade and logistics in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Chairman of DP World stressed the Group's commitment to make an effective contribution to the development of the Syrian maritime sector by modernizing the port of Tartus in accordance with the highest international operational standards, pointing out that the discussions focused on accelerating the implementation of the project and enhancing the port's role in supporting trade and connecting Syria more to regional and global markets.
Kadhim said that the redevelopment of Tartous port represents a strategic step to restore vital trade corridors, stimulate economic activity, and raise the efficiency of operational operations, in a way that contributes to facilitating the movement of trade and supporting reconstruction and development efforts in Syria.
Reshaping the future of trade in Syria
Radwan Sommer, DP World's Regional Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director for the Indian Subcontinent, Central Asia, the Levant and Egypt, said: "The development of Tartus Port is an important milestone in supporting the economic recovery and strengthening Syria's commercial infrastructure, and we are proud to contribute to this vital milestone.
He added that DP World believes that sustainable infrastructure development is based on long-term partnerships and a future vision, and the partnership with the Syrian Ports and Customs Authority represents an important opportunity to reshape the future of trade in Syria and the region as a whole, and rebuild a logistics ecosystem that supports economic growth in Syria.
Explore opportunities for the development of logistics zones
The port of Tartus is geographically located on the Syrian coast overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, making it the country's second-largest port and a major maritime gateway connecting trade routes between Europe, the Levant and North Africa.
This strategic location significantly strengthens regional linkages, complementing existing trade routes through the Bosphorus and Suez Canal.
In addition to the port itself, DP World is exploring opportunities to develop logistics zones, inland cargo hubs and transit corridors in collaboration with local stakeholders, as part of a broader strategy to integrate the Port of Tartous into regional and global supply chains.
With operations in more than 80 countries and handling around 10% of global container traffic, DP World has extensive experience in developing large-scale logistics infrastructure, and the Tartous project is a valuable addition to the Group's growing portfolio in the Middle East, reflecting its focus on emerging trade corridors as engines of long-term growth.
It is noteworthy that trade relations between the UAE and Syria are witnessing increasing growth, as the volume of non-oil trade exchange between the two countries reached about USD 1.4 billion during 2025, recording a record increase of 132.4% compared to the previous year.