After Development Procedures.. The Port of Latakia Records a Significant Leap in Maritime Trade
The Port of Latakia has achieved a remarkable leap in its operational performance since the beginning of this year, reinforcing its position as a vital artery for trade in Syria, following a series of developmental procedures and administrative and technical facilitations initiated by its management.
The Director of Public Relations at the port, Ali Adra, stated in a statement to the "SANA" agency that "the port has received more than 290 ships loaded with various types of goods and containers since the beginning of the year until today, compared to 205 ships during the same period last year, an increase of 85 ships," noting that "the total quantities of handled goods exceeded 1.5 million tons, reflecting a clear improvement in operational performance."
Adra attributed this growth to "the direct result of the facilitations that have been implemented since the first day of liberation, including the rehabilitation of infrastructure and maintenance of heavy machinery such as cranes, which were previously out of service due to neglect," emphasizing that these steps "contributed to increasing the port's capacity in loading and unloading operations."
He revealed that "work is currently underway to introduce automation systems in customs transactions, which reduces bureaucracy and enhances work efficiency."
For his part, customs broker Yasser Fateh confirmed that "the new procedures have contributed to alleviating the financial and administrative burdens on traders, as what was known as (goods financing) has been abolished, along with the removal of many procedural complexities that were slowing down work and imposing additional fines."
Despite this improvement, Fateh pointed to the continuation of some challenges, saying: "The most prominent of which is the lack of machinery (hatchlings) inside the port, and the high container fees due to what is called (war risks), which limits the expected pace of imports."
This development comes within the framework of the agreement that Syria signed with the French group CMA CGM on May 1, 2025, granting it the right to manage and operate the Port of Latakia for 30 years, in a step aimed at enhancing the port's efficiency and developing its commercial services.
