DP World has announced that it will invest $800m to develop and operate the Port of Tartus in Syria.
The company said it would upgrade and position the port as a critical regional trade hub connecting southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa under a 30-year concession agreement with Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports (Galsp).
DP World chairman and group CEO, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, and Galsp chairman, Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi, signed the agreement at a meeting with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Damascus.
Following over a decade of conflict and long-standing underinvestment in trade infrastructure, the redevelopment of Tartus marks an important step in Syria’s economic reintegration. Structured as a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model and fully owned by DP World, the project will include new infrastructure, advanced cargo-handling equipment, and digital systems to improve efficiency across the port’s container and general cargo terminals.
Bin Sulayem said the agreement reflected the company’s 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,” he said.
Badawi said the deal was an important step forward for the port and the country’s maritime sector.
“Partnering with DP World will allow us to modernise 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.”
Located on Syria’s Mediterranean coast, Tartus is the country’s second-largest port and a key maritime gateway to trade routes across Europe, the Levant and North Africa. Its position enhances regional connectivity, complementing existing routes through the Bosporus and Suez. The redevelopment will enable Tartus to handle general cargo, containers, breakbulk, and roll-on/roll-off traffic, expanding Syria’s trade potential as the country continues to rebuild.
DP World said it would also explore opportunities to develop inland logistics hubs and transit corridors in partnership with local stakeholders, supporting broader economic diversification and trade facilitation efforts.
