DP World Accelerates Upgrade of Tartous Port to Enhance Trade in Syria

His Excellency Essa Kazim, Chairman of DP World, engaged with His Excellency Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi, Chairman of Syria’s General Authority for Borders and Customs (GABC), to assess the advancements in the Port of Tartous development.

The dialogue centered on upgrading the port's infrastructure and optimizing logistics operations in anticipation of a surge in cargo and trade activities. This project is pivotal in fostering Syria’s economic recovery and enhancing regional trade connections.

Under a 30-year concession signed with the Syrian government in July 2025, DP World will incorporate an $800 million investment to modernize the port, boosting its operational capabilities and implementing innovative cargo-handling and digital systems.

The redevelopment initiative aims to enhance the port's capacity for various cargo types, including containers, general cargo, breakbulk, and roll-on/roll-off shipments. The upgrades are poised to fortify Syria's trade links across Southern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

H.E. Essa Kazim emphasized DP World's dedication to enhancing Syria’s maritime sector by aligning the port modernization with international standards. He remarked that the discussions aimed to expedite the upgrade implementation and elevate the port's role in advancing trade and Syria’s linkage to global markets.

Kazim characterized the redevelopment as a strategic approach to revitalizing significant trade routes and stimulating economic activity. He asserted that modern operational practices at the port would enhance efficiency, facilitate trade flows, and bolster Syria’s reconstruction efforts.

Rizwan Soomar, CEO and Managing Director for Subcontinent, Central Asia, Levant and Egypt at DP World, noted that the initiative represents a critical phase in Syria’s economic revitalization and efforts to modernize trade.

He expressed that DP World’s collaboration with Syria’s General Authority for Borders and Customs presents a sizable opportunity to reconstruct the logistics framework and promote long-term economic growth.

Positioned along Syria’s Mediterranean coast, the Port of Tartous stands as the nation’s second-largest port, serving as a vital link for trade routes through Europe, the Levant and North Africa, while also enhancing regional connectivity through the Bosporus and the Suez Canal.

In addition to upgrading the port, DP World is considering the establishment of logistics zones, inland freight centers, and transit corridors in collaboration with local partners, as part of a broader strategy to integrate the Port of Tartous into international supply chains.

Operating in over 80 countries, DP World manages approximately 10 percent of global container traffic. The Tartous project amplifies the company’s expanding Middle East portfolio, focusing on developing emerging trade routes.

The trade relationship between the UAE and Syria is burgeoning, with non-oil trade achieving a historic $1.4 billion in 2025—a 132.4 percent year-over-year increase—demonstrating enhanced economic cooperation and business collaborations between the two nations.