Syria signs $800 million port redevelopment deal with UAE’s DP World
Tartous project marks key milestone in Syria’s post-war recovery and reintegration into global trade
DAMASCUS, Syria (MNTV) — Syria has signed an $800 million deal with Dubai-based DP World to modernize and operate the Tartous port.
The agreement marks a key move in Syria’s push to rebuild its economy and rejoin global trade networks.
The deal was signed in the Syrian capital on Sunday between DP World and the General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, in the presence of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, according to the state-run SANA news agency.
Syrian officials hailed the agreement as a pivotal move to overhaul the country’s logistics and maritime infrastructure. “This strategic partnership will enhance our port operations and improve trade connectivity,” an official source told SANA.
The redevelopment plan aims to transform the Tartous port—Syria’s largest on the Mediterranean—into a regional shipping hub.
The project will include upgrading port terminals, expanding cargo handling capacity, and integrating smart logistics systems.
DP World CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem expressed confidence in Syria’s economic recovery, stating that the country still holds significant untapped potential.
“Syria possesses valuable assets, and Tartous is central to revitalizing trade and industrial growth,” he said. “Our goal is to position it among the leading ports globally.”
The agreement is part of Syria’s broader push to attract foreign investment and reintegrate into global markets following the December 2024 ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad.
The new leadership under President al-Sharaa has been actively courting international firms to support national reconstruction.
Qutaiba Badawi, head of Syria’s port authority, described the Tartous contract as more than a commercial deal. “We are laying the groundwork for a new era of maritime development, re-establishing Syria’s role on the global economic stage,” he said.
The DP World contract follows a series of major post-war investment agreements. In May, Syria finalized a 30-year deal with French shipping giant CMA CGM to operate the Latakia port.
That same month, Damascus also signed a $7 billion energy restoration agreement with a consortium of Qatari, Turkish, and American companies.
Syria’s efforts have been further bolstered by recent diplomatic shifts. Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order lifting several longstanding sanctions on Syria.
The U.S. Treasury said the move aims to facilitate reconstruction by easing restrictions on companies involved in vital infrastructure and governance services.
In a related development, Washington also announced the delisting of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from its Foreign Terrorist Organization list, signaling a broader recalibration of U.S. policy toward post-conflict Syria.
After more than a decade of civil war and international isolation, these developments mark a turning point for Syria’s economy as the country seeks to rebuild and reassert its presence in regional and global commerce.
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