DP World has entered into a 30-year concession deal with Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports to invest $800 million and develop the Port of Tartus.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and Group CEO of DP World, and Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi, Chairman of General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, signed the agreement in the presence of Ahmed Al-Sharaa, President of the Syrian Arab Republic.
DP World aims to upgrade the port’s infrastructure and cement its position as a key regional trade hub connecting Southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. This marks a significant milestone in Syria’s journey toward economic recovery and reintegration.
The landmark project, structured as a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model and fully owned by DP World, will include new infrastructure, cutting-edge cargo-handling equipment, and digital systems, focused on enhancing efficiency across the port’s container and general cargo terminals.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem Group Chairman & CEO – DP World
“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, Chairman of Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, added that, “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 it will pave the way for sustainable growth for years to come.”
Tartus, situated on Syria’s Mediterranean coast, stands out as the country’s second-largest port and a key maritime gateway to trade routes across Europe, the Levant and North Africa.
This strategic position strengthens regional connectivity, complementing existing routes through the Bosporus and Suez. The redevelopment will enable Tartus to manage general cargo, containers, breakbulk, and roll-on/roll-off traffic, significantly enhancing Syria’s trade potential.
Furthermore, DP World will partner with local stakeholders to explore opportunities to develop free zones, inland logistics hubs, and transit corridors, aimed at supporting the region’ economic diversification and trade facilitation efforts.
