DP World has taken the first major step in its plan to modernise Syria’s Port of Tartous, with the arrival of the first mobile harbour crane under an $800 million investment programme aimed at expanding the port’s capacity and improving operational efficiency.
The crane, delivered on June 29, is the first visible milestone of the company’s 30-year build-operate-transfer concession agreement with the Syrian government. Two additional mobile harbour cranes are expected to arrive by August, and together the three units will be capable of handling around two million tonnes of cargo each year.
Once fully operational, the new equipment is expected to increase the port’s cargo-handling capacity by approximately 40%, allowing Tartous to accommodate larger vessels, reduce turnaround times and process greater volumes of containers, bulk cargo and breakbulk shipments.
DP World says the project is intended to strengthen Syria’s import and export capabilities while supporting the recovery of regional trade through one of the country’s most strategically located ports.
Beyond infrastructure upgrades, the investment programme also includes training and skills development for local employees, with the aim of creating long-term employment opportunities and building technical expertise within the port workforce.
Commenting on the project, Fahad Al Banna, CEO of DP World Tartous, said the arrival of the first crane marks the beginning of a broader transformation that will improve the port’s efficiency, reliability and ability to serve customers.
Located on Syria’s Mediterranean coast, the Port of Tartous serves as an important gateway linking Southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. DP World believes the modernisation programme will strengthen regional supply chains, attract new trade opportunities and support Syria’s long-term economic recovery.
