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Tartous Quay Returns
Syria’s takeover of the fourth commercial quay at Tartous Port, under a memorandum of understanding with Russia, is set to boost the port’s operational capacity, speed up cargo handling, and ease pressure on other berths, according to economic experts cited by SANA.
“The quay’s specifications underline its operational value”
SANA said the quay stretches 630 meters, with a draft ranging from 10 meters on the eastern side to 13.2 meters on the western side, and can accommodate three large vessels simultaneously with loads of up to 55,000 tons.
The SANA report also tied the move to a broader reorganization of Russia’s presence on Syria’s coast, with civilian facilities covered by the memorandum gradually under Syrian management.
In a separate report, Al-Jazeera Net said Port No. 4 at Tartus entered actual commercial operation “yesterday, Tuesday,” after receiving its first vessel two days after the official announcement of its reclamation from the Russian side.
Al-Jazeera Net quoted Mazen Aloush saying the first vessel “began berthing and handling operations on the quay, signaling the start of commercial work there.”
What the Agreement Changes
نون بوست said the Russian military presence in Syria underwent two successive transformations since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8, 2024, and that on August 9, 2026, reorganization reached the two coastal sites themselves.
It said the August 9, 2026 memorandum of understanding returns civil and commercial infrastructures to Syrian administration, including Lataqiya International Airport and the fourth commercial dock in Tartus, and converts the military facilities at the two sites into joint Syrian-Russian centers for training and qualification within a maximum period of three months.
The same report described the Tartus wharf as 630 meters long, with drafts ranging from 10 to 13.2 meters, and said it can accommodate three large ships at once with cargoes reaching up to 55,000 tons.
In SANA’s account, Mazen Alloush said the quay’s proximity to the fifth quay dedicated to roll-on/roll-off vessels, along with adjacent warehouses and storage areas, enables integrated operations for receiving ships and handling various types of cargo.
SANA quoted Ibrahim Qoushji saying that “But translating those gains into sustainable returns will require investment in infrastructure and logistics.”
Capacity, Costs, and Next Steps
SANA reported that bringing the quay into operation would ease vessel congestion, speed up loading and unloading, raise handling rates and productivity, and cut vessel waiting times.
“cut vessel waiting times”
It also said that unlocking the quay’s potential requires upgrading equipment and systems for cargo reception, storage and handling, improving surrounding services, and linking the quay to road and rail networks.
SANA added that reducing cargo handling time and cutting shipping and storage costs are key to making Tartous Port more competitive and attracting additional trade flows, while also noting that higher operational capacity could generate additional revenue from handling, storage and transport services.
Al-Jazeera Net framed the start of commercial work as “a qualitative addition to Tartus port’s capabilities,” and said it helps expand the port’s ability to receive ships and handle various types of cargo.
Al-Jazeera Net quoted Mazen Aloush describing the move as “a significant step in developing Tartus port’s infrastructure, increasing its operational capacity and capacity to accommodate more traffic.”