UN/LOCODE: SYTTS📍 Syrian Arab Republic
Port of Tartus (UN/LOCODE SYTTS)
❖ Coordinates: 34.9000°N, 35.9000°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Damascus
❖ UN/LOCODE: SYTTS
## About the Port
**Port of Tartus (UN/LOCODE: SYTTS)** is the principal deep‑water seaport on Syria’s western Mediterranean coast, situated in the governorate of Tartus at approximately 34.9° N latitude and 35.9° E longitude. Operating under the **Asia/Damascus** time zone (UTC+3), the port serves as the main gateway for the Syrian Arab Republic’s import‑export activities, handling a mix of containerized, bulk, and general cargo. Managed by the state‑owned **Tartus Port Authority**, it benefits from a natural protected harbor, moderate wave conditions, and proximity to major inland road and rail arteries, making it a strategic node for both regional trade and geopolitically sensitive logistics.
The port’s catchment area extends beyond Syria’s borders, encompassing parts of Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq, which rely on Tartus for maritime access when overland routes become constrained. Its operational focus aligns with the Syrian government’s broader economic diversification plan, targeting increased container throughput, cruise‑ship tourism, and ancillary maritime services.
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## History
### Early Foundations (Ancient to Ottoman Era)
Archaeological evidence points to a Phoenician settlement at the site of modern Tartus as early as the 12th century BC, where a modest harbor facilitated Mediterranean trade. Under successive Roman and Byzantine rule, the harbor was expanded to accommodate grain shipments and military vessels. Ottoman records from the 16th century first refer to “Tartus” as a modest customs post, noting limited ship traffic due to the empire’s focus on Istanbul’s larger ports.
### French Mandate and Modernization (1920‑1946)
During the French Mandate of Syria, the French Navy recognized Tartus’s strategic depth and began modest dredging operations to allow larger cargo ships. The 1930s saw the construction of foundational quay walls and the establishment of a rudimentary rail link to the inland town of Baniyas, laying the groundwork for later expansion.
### Post‑Independence Expansion (1946‑2000)
Following Syrian independence, the government embarked on a series of infrastructure projects aimed at reducing reliance on foreign ports. In the 1970s, a 300‑meter breakwater was completed, permitting the berth of Panamax‑class vessels. The 1980s introduced a container terminal equipped with a mobile crane of 30 tonnage capacity, marking the port’s first foray into containerised freight. By the turn of the millennium, Tartus handled roughly **2 million tonnes** of cargo annually, predominantly bulk agricultural imports.
### Recent Developments (2000‑Present)
Despite the civil conflict that began in 2011, Tartus remained operational, partly due to its location away from major combat zones. The port benefitted from Russian naval support, with the Russian Black Sea Fleet establishing a logistical hub within the harbor in 2015. In 2021, the Syrian Ministry of Transport announced a **$250 million** upgrade program, targeting a new 600‑meter quay, additional container yards, and modern customs scanning facilities.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Key Features | Typical Capacity |
|----------|--------------|------------------|
| **Berths** | 6 operational berths (2 container, 2 bulk, 2 general cargo) | 3 000–5 000 GT per berth |
| **Draft** | Maintained at **12 m** following periodic dredging (2022) | Accommodates Panamax vessels |
| **Turntables & Cranes** | 1 mobile gantry crane (30 t), 2 mobile harbor cranes (25 t) | Container handling up to **150 TEU per hour** |
| **Storage Yards** | 15 ha of open‑air bulk storage, 8 ha of container stacking (up to 3 layers) | 300 000 ton bulk, 12 000 TEU |
| **Rail Links** | 2 km of standard gauge rail connecting to the Syrian railway network | Handles 20 000 t/yr |
| **Customs & Inspection** | Integrated with the Syrian Automated Customs System (SACS) & non‑intrusive inspection scanners | 24‑hour clearance for high‑value cargo |
| **Support Services** | Vessel‑traffic service (VTS), pilotage, bunkering (diesel & marine gas oil), ship‑repair workshops | Full service for vessels up to 8 000 GT |
The port also operates a modest **Cruise Terminal** launched in 2019, capable of accommodating up to 1 500 passengers per vessel, supporting burgeoning tourism initiatives along the Syrian coastline.
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## Economic Importance
### National Trade Backbone
Port of Tartus accounts for **approximately 45 %** of Syria’s total maritime cargo volume, making it the linchpin of the country’s external trade. Core imports include wheat, petroleum products, fertilizers, and construction materials, while primary exports consist of **olive oil, citrus fruits, textiles, and scrap metal**. The port’s container throughput, projected at **200 000 TEU** in 2024, underpins Syria's growing participation in global supply chains.
### Regional Supply Hub
Given the limited number of deep‑water ports in the Levant, Tartus functions as a de‑facto logistics hub for **Jordan, Iraq, and southern Turkey** when overland routes are disrupted. In 2023, cross‑border transshipment through Tartus rose by **12 %**, illustrating its role in regional resilience. The port’s proximity to the **Syrian railway corridor** enables efficient multimodal movement of goods to inland markets.
### Employment & Revenue Generation
The port directly employs roughly **2 500** workers across operational, administrative, and security roles, with an estimated **6 500** ancillary jobs in trucking, warehousing, and customs brokerage. In fiscal terms, customs duties collected at Tartus contributed **$210 million** to the national treasury in 2022, a critical source of revenue amid sanctions‑induced fiscal constraints.
### Strategic Partnerships
The Russian Naval Presence, formalized under the 2017 **Syria‑Russia Agreement**, secures not only military logistics but also commercial cooperation, allowing Russian cargo carriers preferential berth allocation. This arrangement has spurred ancillary services, such as **fuel bunkering and technical maintenance**, boosting the port’s service portfolio.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Maritime Corridors
| Origin/Destination | Route Type | Typical Vessel Size | Frequency |
|--------------------|-----------|---------------------|-----------|
| **Mediterranean Europe** (e.g., Italy, Greece) | West‑East | Panamax (≈ 65 000 GT) | 2‑3 sailings/week |
| **Northern Africa** (e.g., Algeria, Tunisia) | North‑South | Handymax (≈ 50 000 GT) | 1‑2 sailings/week |
| **Eastern Mediterranean** (e.g., Israel, Cyprus) | Regional | Feeder (≈ 10 000 GT) | 4‑5 sailings/week |
| **Red Sea & Gulf** (via Suez) | Long‑haul | Panamax & post‑Panamax | 1‑2 sailings/month |
Tartus’s **strategic position** on the Eastern Mediterranean allows it to serve as a transshipment point for cargo destined for the Levant and the Inner Arabian Gulf. The port’s **deep‑water draft** and breakwater protection ensure year‑round operations, even during the occasional Mediterranean storm season.
### Dominant Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Type | Volume (2023) | Key Import/Export Partners |
|------------|---------------|----------------------------|
| **Grains & Cereals** | 620 000 t (import) | Italy, France, Russia |
| **Petroleum Products** | 450 000 t (import) | Russia, Saudi Arabia |
| **Olive Oil & Fruit** | 120 000 t (export) | EU markets, Gulf states |
| **Textiles & Garments** | 90 000 t (export) | Turkey, Egypt |
| **Construction Materials** (cement, steel) | 210 000 t (import) | Turkey, China |
| **Containerized Goods** | 200 000 TEU (throughput) | EU, GCC, China |
The **container segment** is rapidly expanding, driven by the Syrian government's push for **digitised customs processing** and the emergence of regional e‑commerce platforms. The port’s ongoing expansion of crane capacity and yard automation is expected to raise handling efficiency by **15 %** within the next two years.
### Future Trade Prospects
With the **reopening of the Suez Canal** and the gradual stabilization of the Syrian economy, analysts project a **10‑15 % annual increase** in Tartus cargo volumes through 2028. Anticipated growth areas include **pharmaceuticals**, **automotive components**, and **renewable‑energy equipment**, aligning with Syria’s post‑conflict reconstruction agenda.
For a detailed, up‑to‑date overview of global port statistics, see the **World Port Source** database: <https://www.worldportsource.com/ports/SYV_SYTTS.php>.
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*This article provides a concise, data‑driven overview of the Port of Tartus, integrating historical context, current infrastructure, and forward‑looking economic analysis for maritime professionals and policy makers.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
SYTTS
Country
Syrian Arab Republic
Province / Region
Tartus
Latitude
34.900000
Longitude
35.900000
Timezone
Asia/Damascus
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Tartus?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Tartus is SYTTS.
Where is Port of Tartus located?
The Port of Tartus is located in Syrian Arab Republic, Tartus. Its coordinates are 34.9000°N, 35.9000°E.
What time zone is Port of Tartus in?
Port of Tartus 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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