Belgian Diplomatic Delegation Visits Tartus Port to Review Development Projects

Details of the Diplomatic Visit

A Belgian diplomatic delegation, headed by the Kingdom of Belgium's Ambassador to Beirut and Chargé d'Affaires to Syria, Arnout Pauls, visited Tartus Port on Tuesday, 28 July 2026. The visit was announced by the General Authority for Ports and Customs through its official channels and aimed at familiarising the delegation with current port operations and ongoing development projects.

The delegation's tour covered the port's quays, operational yards, and loading and unloading areas, where Belgian officials were briefed on daily workflows and cargo handling procedures.

Areas of Bilateral Cooperation

During the visit, Ambassador Pauls affirmed Belgium's commitment to sustaining dialogue with Syria and strengthening bilateral cooperation in the coming period. He commended the efforts being made to develop Tartus Port and modernise Syria's broader border and customs infrastructure.

For his part, the Director of Tartus Port presented the key achievements realised to date, outlined current operational procedures, and highlighted measures being taken to improve logistics service efficiency. He also detailed the facilitation measures offered by the General Authority for Ports and Customs to streamline trade flows within the port.

Infrastructure Development Projects

Ongoing projects at Tartus Port focus on upgrading logistics infrastructure and expanding operational capacity, with the aim of raising service standards for vessels and transit cargo while improving overall port performance indicators.

Port Operational Performance

Recent figures reflect notable operational activity at Tartus Port. During the first half of 2026, the port recorded the following:

• Approximately 371 vessels received, with a total cargo tonnage of 3,425,764 tonnes.
• 319 general cargo vessels handled during the same period.

For the full year 2025, the port recorded:

• 924 vessels in total.
• 775 general cargo vessels handled, with a combined tonnage of 6,546,276 tonnes.

Strategic Significance of the Port

Tartus Port is Syria's principal maritime gateway on the Mediterranean Sea and a cornerstone of the country's foreign trade and logistics network. The Belgian visit reflects growing diplomatic interest in Syria's rebuilding trajectory, particularly in the maritime and port infrastructure sector.