DP World Lands First Cranes Under 30-Year Tartous Concession

DP World has taken delivery of the first cranes at the Port of Tartous, a milestone under its 30-year concession agreement to develop and operate the Syrian port.

The investment programme will continue over the coming years and includes dredging works to accommodate larger vessels, refurbishment of quay walls, the deployment of additional cargo-handling equipment, the introduction of digital technologies and continued development of the local workforce.

"This milestone represents much more than the delivery of new equipment. It reflects our long-term commitment to supporting Syria's economic recovery by rebuilding critical trade infrastructure. A modern port reduces the cost of doing business, attracts investment and creates skilled jobs," said Fahad Al Banna, chief executive officer of DP World Tartous.

Mohammad Shihab, executive vice president for DP World Egypt and the Levant, set out the geography behind the investment. "Strategically located on Syria's Mediterranean coast, the Port of Tartous has the potential to become a vital trade and logistics gateway, connecting Syria with key regional markets including Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Türkiye, while strengthening trade flows across the Eastern Mediterranean, the Gulf, Europe and North Africa."

The next phase will bring additional cargo-handling equipment, including forklift trucks and reach stackers later this year, followed by nine further light-duty mobile harbour cranes during 2027 and early 2028. A new quay crane is planned for delivery in 2028.

Alongside the new equipment, DP World will shortly begin dredging to deepen the harbour, while refurbishment of the port's quay walls is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

The sequencing is conventional for a concession of this length. Equipment arrives first because it produces visible capacity quickly; the dredging and quay work that determine what size of vessel can actually call runs on a slower clock.