Economist Yasser al-Hussein told Sham: Evaluating ports in Syria is related to efficiency, infrastructure development and investments. Details: Academic and economic expert Dr. Yasser al-Hussein, in an interview with Dama News Network, confirmed that evaluating the performance of Syrian ports requires looking at integrated indicators that include the volume of goods and containers, handling speed, waiting time and service costs. Al-Hussein explained that achieving sustainable economic results is related to improving operational efficiency, developing infrastructure and administrative procedures and directing investments to real needs, noting that the ports received increased attention after liberation through the signing of agreements and modernization of equipment. Al-Hussein reviewed Latakia Port data, indicating that it received 532 ships and handled more than 3.7 million tons of goods and 219,000 containers by the end of September 2026, exceeding the numbers for the entire year 2025, while noting the need for caution in using final percentages so as not to underestimate the annual rate. The economic expert noted that the port of Tartus received 551 ships and handled about 5 million tons of goods until August 4, 2026 (3.9 million tons of imports and 1.1 million tons of exports), and emphasized that an accurate comparison for 2025 requires data for similar periods of time. He noted that the Port of Latakia will be supplied with six state-of-the-art bridge cranes in October 2026 and 16 forklifts last September, stressing that modernization of equipment alone is not enough without reducing waiting time, developing dock management, customs procedures, and logistical connectivity with transportation networks and railroads. Al-Hussein discussed the container terminal project in Latakia in partnership with CMA CGM, with announced investments amounting to 30 million euros in the first year, followed by 200 million euros, and emphasized the need to monitor the actual expenses and completion to measure its economic feasibility. He touched down at the port of Tartus, received the fourth commercial anchorage and signed an investment agreement with a Turkish company in January 2026 to establish a shipbuilding and maintenance system (BOT) basin, opening horizons for marine industries despite the lack of declared data regarding the final cost and start-up date.

Economist Yasser al-Hussein told Sham: Evaluating ports in Syria is related to efficiency, infrastructure development and investments. Details: Academic and economic expert Dr. Yasser al-Hussein, in an interview with Dama News Network, confirmed that evaluating the performance of Syrian ports requires looking at integrated indicators that include the volume of goods and containers, handling speed, waiting time and service costs. Al-Hussein explained that achieving sustainable economic results is related to improving operational efficiency, developing infrastructure and administrative procedures and directing investments to real needs, noting that the ports received increased attention after liberation through the signing of agreements and modernization of equipment. Al-Hussein reviewed Latakia Port data, indicating that it received 532 ships and handled more than 3.7 million tons of goods and 219,000 containers by the end of September 2026, exceeding the numbers for the entire year 2025, while noting the need for caution in using final percentages so as not to underestimate the annual rate. The economic expert noted that the port of Tartus received 551 ships and handled about 5 million tons of goods until August 4, 2026 (3.9 million tons of imports and 1.1 million tons of exports), and emphasized that an accurate comparison for 2025 requires data for similar periods of time. He noted that the Port of Latakia will be supplied with six state-of-the-art bridge cranes in October 2026 and 16 forklifts last September, stressing that modernization of equipment alone is not enough without reducing waiting time, developing dock management, customs procedures, and logistical connectivity with transportation networks and railroads. Al-Hussein discussed the container terminal project in Latakia in partnership with CMA CGM, with announced investments amounting to 30 million euros in the first year, followed by 200 million euros, and emphasized the need to monitor the actual expenses and completion to measure its economic feasibility. He touched down at the port of Tartus, received the fourth commercial anchorage and signed an investment agreement with a Turkish company in January 2026 to establish a shipbuilding and maintenance system (BOT) basin, opening horizons for marine industries despite the lack of declared data regarding the final cost and start-up date.