Post by : Badri Ariffin

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

The talks centered on the enhancement of the port’s infrastructure and logistics capabilities to accommodate anticipated growth in cargo and trade activities. This initiative is considered pivotal for supporting Syria’s economic recovery and enhancing regional trade connectivity.

Engaged under a 30-year concession agreement with the Syrian government established in July 2025, DP World is set to invest $800 million into modernizing the port, amplifying its operational capacity while incorporating state-of-the-art cargo-handling and digital systems.

The redevelopment project is designed to elevate the port’s capacity for managing various cargo types, including containers, general and breakbulk shipments, as well as roll-on/roll-off traffic. The upgrade is anticipated to bolster Syria’s trade relations with markets across Southern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

H.E. Essa Kazim emphasized DP World’s commitment to enhancing Syria’s maritime sector by modernizing the Port of Tartous to meet international standards. He remarked that discussions were aimed at hastening implementation to bolster the port’s contribution to trade and enhance Syria’s ties with both regional and global markets.

Kazim characterized the redevelopment as a strategic measure aimed at reinstating key trade routes and stimulating economic activities. He noted that contemporary port operations would enhance efficiency, support trade flows, and bolster Syria’s reconstruction endeavors.

Rizwan Soomar, CEO and Managing Director for Subcontinent, Central Asia, Levant, and Egypt at DP World, remarked that this project is a crucial step in Syria’s plans for economic recovery and trade advancement.

He highlighted that the partnership with Syria’s General Authority for Borders and Customs represents a significant opportunity to rebuild the nation’s logistics infrastructure and encourage sustainable economic growth.

Situated on Syria’s Mediterranean coastline, the Port of Tartous is recognized as the country’s second-largest port and serves as a vital gateway linking trade routes through Europe, the Levant, and North Africa. Its strategic location facilitates regional connectivity alongside routes traversing the Bosporus and the Suez Canal.

In addition to the port rehabilitation, DP World is also assessing possibilities for developing logistics zones, inland freight hubs, and transit corridors in collaboration with local partners. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to connect the Port of Tartous to both regional and international supply chains.

With operations in over 80 countries, DP World accommodates approximately 10 percent of global container traffic. The Tartous project further bolsters the company’s expanding Middle Eastern portfolio and its commitment to developing emerging trade connectors.

The trade relationship between the UAE and Syria continues to thrive, with non-oil trade between the two nations achieving a remarkable $1.4 billion in 2025, reflecting a 132.4 percent increase compared to the previous year. This growth signifies a deepening of economic cooperation and broadened business connections between both countries.

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