DP World Chairman Essa Kazim met with Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi, Chairman of Syria’s General Authority for Borders and Customs, in Damascus to review progress on the Port of Tartous development and discuss opportunities for accelerating implementation of the project.
The meeting focused on enhancing infrastructure and logistics efficiency to position the port to accommodate anticipated growth in trade and cargo volumes.
The Port of Tartous development is underpinned by a 30-year concession agreement signed in July 2025 between DP World and the Syrian government, under which DP World has committed US$ 800 million to upgrade infrastructure, expand capacity and introduce modern cargo-handling and advanced digital systems.
The redevelopment will enhance the port’s ability to handle a diverse range of cargo types including general cargo, containers, breakbulk and roll-on/roll-off traffic.
Essa Kazim described the Tartous redevelopment as a strategic step toward restoring key trade corridors and stimulating economic activity in Syria, framing modernisation of port operations as a contributor to improved trade flow efficiency and broader reconstruction efforts.
He emphasised DP World’s commitment to developing Syria’s maritime sector in line with international operational standards.
The Port of Tartous occupies a strategically significant position as a maritime gateway linking trade routes across Southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
DP World’s involvement is positioned as a contribution to Syria’s economic recovery, reinforcing the port’s role as a regional hub at a critical moment in the country’s post-conflict rebuilding process.
