DP World has signed a 30-year concession agreement with Syria's General Authority for Land and Sea Ports to develop and operate the Port of Tartus. The agreement marks a significant step in Syria's post-conflict economic reintegration and aims to position Tartus as a strategic regional trade hub connecting Southern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Under the terms of the agreement, DP World will invest $800 million throughout the concession to upgrade the port's infrastructure. The project, structured as a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model and fully owned by DP World, will include the development of new infrastructure, installation of advanced cargo-handling equipment, and implementation of digital systems to enhance operational efficiency across both the container and general cargo terminals.
© DP World
The agreement was signed in Damascus in the presence of His Excellency Ahmed Al-Sharaa, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and Group CEO of DP World, and Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi, Chairman of the General Authority for Land and Sea Ports.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem stated, "This agreement reflects our long-term commitment to enabling global trade and creating resilient supply chains. We see strong potential in Tartus to serve as a vital trade gateway and look forward to strengthening regional connectivity and economic opportunity through this investment. We believe in the power of trade to help drive long-term stability and prosperity for Syria and the region."
Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi added, "This agreement marks an important step forward for the Port of Tartus and Syria's maritime sector. Partnering with DP World will allow us to modernize and strengthen the efficiency of our trade infrastructure as we continue to rebuild key trade lanes, support the national economy, and provide more opportunities for the Syrian people. The agreement reflects our shared vision to transform Tartus into a strategic gateway linking Syria with regional and international markets and will pave the way for sustainable growth for years to come."
© DP World
Located on Syria's Mediterranean coast, Tartus is the country's second-largest port and a key maritime gateway to Europe, the Levant, and North Africa. Its strategic location complements existing routes through the Bosporus and Suez Canal, enhancing regional trade connectivity. The redevelopment will expand Tartus's capabilities to handle general cargo, containers, breakbulk, and roll-on/roll-off traffic.
DP World also plans to explore opportunities for developing free zones, inland logistics hubs, and transit corridors in collaboration with local stakeholders, further supporting Syria's economic diversification and trade facilitation goals.
With a presence in over 75 countries and handling 9.2% of global container traffic, DP World brings more than four decades of experience in global logistics infrastructure. The Tartus project adds to the company's expanding portfolio in the Middle East and reinforces its strategic role in global trade.
For more information:
DP World
Tel: +32 3 730 33 00
www.dpworld.com
