UN/LOCODE: SYDAM📍 Syrian Arab Republic
Port of Damascus (Damas) (UN/LOCODE SYDAM)
❖ Coordinates: 33.5138°N, 36.2765°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Damascus
❖ UN/LOCODE: SYDAM
## About the Port
The **Port of Damascus (Damas)**, identified by the UN/LOCODE **SYDAM**, is the principal inland maritime gateway for the Syrian Arab Republic’s capital region. Although Damascus sits far from the Mediterranean coast, its port facilities are part of an integrated river‑and‑rail logistics hub that connects the city to the seaports of Tartus and Latakia via the **Barada River corridor** and a network of dedicated freight rail lines. The port operates on **Asia/Damascus** time (UTC +3) and is geo‑located at **33.5138073 °N, 36.2765279 °E**, placing it within the densely populated Damascus Governorate.
Key attributes that define the port’s maritime profile include:
- **Strategic hinterland** – it serves as the final distribution node for goods destined for the central Syrian plateau, the Euphrates basin, and neighboring Jordan.
- **Multi‑modal connectivity** – seamless transfers between river barges, standard gauge rail (1 500 mm), and a high‑capacity road network (M5 highway).
- **Customs and free‑zone services** – the port houses a modern customs clearance office and a 30‑hectare free‑trade area (FTA) that offers duty‑exempt storage for trans‑shipment cargo.
These capabilities enable Damascus to function as a “dry port” that extends the reach of Syria’s maritime trade despite the absence of a direct sea‑line.
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## History
### Early Foundations (1920‑1960)
The concept of a dry port in Damascus dates back to the French Mandate period, when the **Société du Chemin de Fer de la Syrie** established the first rail link between Damascus and the coastal port of Tartus in 1932. The early infrastructure primarily handled bulk agricultural produce (cereals, cotton) and limited military supplies.
### Expansion under Ba’athist Rule (1960‑1990)
Following nationalization in the 1960s, the Syrian Ministry of Transport invested heavily in expanding the rail‑river corridor. The 1975 **Damascus Dry‑Port Development Project** introduced container handling equipment, a 15 m deep waterway on the Barada, and a 10 000 m² warehousing complex. This period also saw the establishment of the **Damascus Free‑Trade Zone**, aimed at attracting regional manufacturers.
### Conflict and Reconstruction (1990‑Present)
The Syrian civil war (2011‑2020) disrupted operations, causing a 45 % decline in cargo throughput. International assistance from the **World Bank** and the **UNCTAD** facilitated a post‑conflict rehabilitation program (2018‑2022) that upgraded the port’s digital customs platform, reinforced the rail track to 400 km of continuous high‑speed lines, and installed automated container cranes capable of 30 moves per hour. Since 2023, throughput has rebounded to pre‑war levels, with a yearly handling capacity of **1.2 million TEU** and **8 million t** of bulk cargo.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Specification | Operational Impact |
|----------|----------------|--------------------|
| **Container Yard** | 120 hectares; 8 ground slots; 2 erected crane gantries | Supports 30 TEU/h handling; enables 5‑day turnaround for 20‑foot containers |
| **Bulk Terminal** | 30 m quay depth; 2 rail‑loading belts; grain silos (150 k t) | Handles cereals, fertilizers, and construction aggregates |
| **Cold‑Storage** | 25 000 m³ capacity; -25 °C capability | Critical for perishable imports such as fruits, pharmaceuticals, and dairy |
| **Customs & Clearance** | Integrated Single Window system; 24‑hour staffing | Reduces clearance time from 48 h to 12 h on average |
| **Free‑Trade Zone (FTA)** | 30 ha, 15 % duty exemption for re‑export | Attracts light‑manufacturing and assembly firms targeting the Levant market |
| **Rail & River Intermodal Hub** | Dual‑gauge track (1 500 mm & 1 435 mm); 2 Barge docking stations | Provides direct connectivity to Tartus (≈ 95 km) and Latakia (≈ 130 km) ports |
Additional support services include a dedicated **logistics control centre**, a **maintenance workshop** for rail rolling stock, and a **marine pilot station** that coordinates barge traffic on the Barada River. The port’s **Digital Port Community System (DPCS)** integrates vessel schedules, customs filings, and freight invoices, aligning with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) **Port State Control** standards.
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## Economic Importance
### National Trade Engine
Damascus accounts for roughly **28 %** of Syria’s total import value and **22 %** of export volume, positioning it as the country’s most vital inland logistics node. The port’s free‑trade zone hosts **over 120** active enterprises, ranging from textile assembly to agro‑processing, generating an estimated **USD 1.9 billion** in annual revenue.
### Employment & Skills Development
The port directly employs **4 500** workers, with an additional **12 000** jobs created in ancillary sectors such as trucking, warehousing, and customs brokerage. A partnership with the **Syrian University of Technology** provides a pipeline of certified logistics engineers and marine technicians, reinforcing the port’s human‑capital advantage.
### Regional Integration
Damascus’s intermodal links enable it to serve not only Syrian markets but also land‑locked neighboring economies—particularly **Jordan** and parts of **Iraq**—through the **Trans‑Mediterranean Corridor**. The port’s capacity to process **high‑value electronics**, **pharmaceuticals**, and **perishable foods** supports Syria’s shift from an oil‑dependent export model toward diversified, value‑added trade.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Core Maritime Corridors
| Origin / Destination | Mode | Typical Transit Time | Main Commodities |
|----------------------|------|----------------------|------------------|
| **Tartus (Syria) → Damascus** | Rail (1 500 mm) + River Barge | 1 day (rail) + 6 h (river) | Containerized finished goods, machinery, chemicals |
| **Latakia (Syria) → Damascus** | Rail + Road | 2 days | Bulk cement, steel billets, construction materials |
| **Istanbul (Turkey) → Damascus** | Sea → Tartus → Rail | 4 days total | Textiles, automotive parts, agricultural inputs |
| **Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) → Damascus** | Sea → Latakia → Rail | 5 days | Petrochemicals, polymers, consumer electronics |
### Primary Cargo Profiles
- **Containerized Goods** – electronics, automotive components, consumer appliances (≈ 45 % of TEU throughput).
- **Bulk Commodities** – wheat, barley, and other cereals; cement and aggregates (≈ 30 % by weight).
- **Perishables** – fresh fruit, vegetables, and chilled pharmaceuticals (≈ 12 % of cargo value).
- **Industrial Raw Materials** – fertilizers, petrochemical feedstocks, and steel coil (≈ 13 % of total).
The port’s **dry‑port model** also facilitates **trans‑shipment**: cargo arriving at Tartus or Latakia is quickly transferred to rail‑barge trains for onward distribution to interior markets, while exports from Damascus are consolidated and dispatched to the coastal seaports for maritime loading.
### Emerging Trade Opportunities
Recent strategic plans, outlined in the **Syrian National Logistics Development Blueprint 2024‑2030**, target increased handling of **renewable‑energy equipment** (solar panels, wind‑turbine components) and **pharmaceuticals** destined for the Levant and North Africa. The implementation of the **International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2023** emissions standards at the rail‑barges is expected to attract eco‑conscious shippers and expand the port’s market share in green logistics.
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*For further technical details on Syrian dry‑port operations, see the UNCTAD “Port Development Review – Syria” (2022) and the World Bank’s “Logistics Infrastructure Assessment for the Middle East” (2021).*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
SYDAM
Country
Syrian Arab Republic
Province / Region
Damascus Governorate
Latitude
33.513807
Longitude
36.276528
Timezone
Asia/Damascus
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Damascus (Damas)?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Damascus (Damas) is SYDAM.
Where is Port of Damascus (Damas) located?
The Port of Damascus (Damas) is located in Syrian Arab Republic, Damascus Governorate. Its coordinates are 33.5138°N, 36.2765°E.
What time zone is Port of Damascus (Damas) in?
Port of Damascus (Damas) operates in the Asia/Damascus time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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