by Lloyd's List

21 Aug 2025 (Lloyd's List) - SYRIA’S new authorities have signed a contract to accelerate the work on updating and extending the container terminal in Lattakia.

According to the deal struck with CMA CGM, the company will invest €200m ($170m) to extend and modernise the port’s container terminal.

This is the second phase of the Lattakia Port Expansion Project, which was signed in May 2025. The initial phase was an investment of €30m.

Earlier this week, France-based CMA CGM chief executive Rodolphe Saadé met Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara in Damascus, where a decision was made to accelerate the launch of the project.

Port capacity is due to reach more than 1m teu annually and the terminal will be connected to rail and road networks.

Advanced cargo handling systems and integrated logistics platforms will be installed, and access for larger vessels with 16 metre draft will be enabled.

Lattakia International Container Terminal handles 95% of Syria’s containerised imports and exports.

Syria’s maritime trade has been increasing since February, with traceable port calls hitting the highest recorded level since at least 2022, which is a remarkable change since the overthrow of Assad.

There has been a notable uptick in the number of arrivals from European countries, including Spain, France and Italy, which have not had any maritime trade with Syria for several years.

Lloyd’s List Intelligence data shows cargo-carrying vessels made 92 traceable calls to Syria’s Banias, Tartous and Lattakia ports in July, up 338% from 21 calls in July last year.

In July, Dubai-based DP World signed a 30-year concession agreement with the Syrian government to develop and operate Tartous port. The company will invest $800m (£590m) to update and develop the infrastructure of the port.