DP World has taken a major step in modernising the Port of Tartous, with the first of three new Mobile Harbour Cranes arriving at the Syrian facility on 29th June.
The delivery marks the first significant investment under the company's 30-year concession agreement with the Syrian Government, signed last year, and signals the start of a broader effort to transform the port into a competitive regional trade gateway.
Two additional cranes are set to arrive by August. Each unit can handle around 2 million tonnes of cargo annually, and once all three are operational, they are expected to boost the port's cargo-handling capacity by roughly 40 percent. The upgrade will allow the port to accommodate larger vessels, cut vessel turnaround times and process greater volumes of containers, bulk cargo and breakbulk shipments.
Fahad Al Banna, CEO of DP World Tartous, called the crane's arrival the first major milestone in the port's transformation, noting that continued investment in infrastructure, technology and workforce development would strengthen supply chains and support Syria's economic recovery.
The cranes are part of a wider US$800 million investment programme covering infrastructure upgrades, modern cargo-handling equipment, digitalisation and operational improvements. The plan also includes training and skills development for local staff, aimed at building technical capacity and creating long-term employment.
Positioned on Syria's Mediterranean coast, the Port of Tartous serves as a strategic link between Southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The ongoing upgrades are expected to reinforce its role in regional trade while supporting Syria's broader economic rebuilding efforts.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
