Dubai-based logistics giant DP World has signed a landmark 30-year concession agreement with Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports to develop and operate the Port of Tartus, committing a total investment of USD 800 million.
The agreement, announced on 13 July 2025 in Damascus, signals a pivotal moment for Syria’s economic recovery and maritime trade development. With the country’s infrastructure weakened by over a decade of conflict, the redevelopment of Tartus marks a major step toward reestablishing Syria’s role in regional supply chains.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and Group CEO of DP World, signed the agreement alongside Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi, Chairman of the General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, in the presence of Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa. Structured under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, the deal grants DP World exclusive development and operational rights at the port until 2055.
The investment will be channeled into modernizing critical infrastructure, installing advanced cargo-handling equipment, and implementing digital logistics systems across Tartus’ container, breakbulk, general cargo, and RoRo terminals. The overarching goal is to transform Tartus into a competitive trade gateway connecting Europe, the Levant, and North Africa.
“This agreement reflects our long-term commitment to enabling global trade and creating resilient supply chains,” said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. “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.”
Located on Syria’s Mediterranean coastline, Tartus is the nation’s second-largest port and occupies a strategically important position linking southern Europe to the Middle East. The port’s proximity to the Bosporus Strait and the Suez Canal further enhances its potential as a regional hub.
Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi emphasized the importance of international cooperation in rebuilding Syria’s maritime infrastructure: “Partnering with DP World will allow us to modernize and strengthen the efficiency of our trade infrastructure. This agreement reflects our shared vision to transform Tartus into a strategic gateway linking Syria with regional and international markets.”
The Tartus redevelopment project includes upgrades across multiple logistics layers, such as container terminal enhancements, general cargo yard improvements, and the integration of automation and data systems to streamline operations.
Beyond port infrastructure, DP World plans to explore additional opportunities in Syria, including free zones, inland logistics hubs, and overland transit corridors. These developments are expected to support broader economic diversification and bolster Syria’s national trade capabilities.
Industry observers note that the deal could mark the beginning of increased foreign investment in Syria’s logistics and transportation sectors. For DP World, the project expands its footprint in the Middle East and builds on its operations in more than 75 countries. The company currently handles over 9% of global container traffic and is actively involved in port and logistics development projects worldwide.
The project’s structure as a BOT agreement allows DP World to fully own and operate the facilities during the 30-year concession, after which the port will be transferred back to Syrian authorities. The BOT model has been successfully implemented in various international port developments and is seen as a pragmatic solution for infrastructure development in post-conflict zones.
Once operational, the upgraded Tartus Port is expected to significantly boost Syria’s cargo throughput capacity, enabling it to handle larger volumes of containerized, breakbulk, and RoRo traffic. This, in turn, could help re-establish direct maritime trade links that have eroded over the past decade.
The deal may also pave the way for renewed interest from regional shipping lines and logistics companies seeking alternative routes and expanded capacity in the Eastern Mediterranean—a region increasingly impacted by shifting geopolitical dynamics.
