DP World expects breakbulk traffic to rise significantly at Syria’s port of Tartous, as ongoing modernisation sees the arrival of the first of three new mobile harbour cranes.
This week’s delivery of the first new crane marks a key milestone in DP World’s USD 800 million investment and 30-year concession agreement with the Syrian government.
Once fully deployed, the new equipment is expected to lift overall port capacity by around 40 per cent, supporting higher throughput across breakbulk, bulk and containerised cargo, while improving vessel turnaround times and operational efficiency.
Anticipated growth
DP World said the upgrade is designed to accommodate anticipated growth in regional trade flows, with breakbulk among the segments set to benefit from improved berth productivity and handling capability.
Each crane is capable of handling around two million tonnes of cargo annually, with the remaining two units scheduled for delivery by August, forming the initial phase of the wider modernisation plan.
‘Milestone’
Fahad Al Bannachief executive of DP World Tartous, said the arrival of the first crane represents “the first major milestone in the transformation” of the port, and added that the investment is aimed at improving capacity, efficiency and reliability while supporting Syria’s growing trade requirements.
The broader programme includes infrastructure upgrades, digitalisation and workforce development, as DP World looks to position Tartous as a more competitive Mediterranean gateway linking Southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
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