Latakia Port Development in Syria: AD Ports Group's $667 Million 2026 Infrastructure Expansion Programme

The development of Latakia International Container Terminal (LICT) is part of a wider international port infrastructure expansion programme announced by AD Ports Group for 2026. The programme has a reported investment allocation of USD 667 million (AED 2.45 billion) and covers five port locations across the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Pakistan, Angola and Syria.

In Syria, the programme includes the development of Latakia International Container Terminal, focusing on terminal infrastructure modernisation, digital systems and increased container handling capacity. The development is associated with a joint venture and shareholders agreement signed between AD Ports Group and CMA CGM Group on 6 November 2025, covering the acquisition of a 20% stake in the Syrian terminal for AED 81 million (approximately USD 22 million).

The planned capacity expansion aims to increase the terminal's annual container handling capacity from 250,000 to 625,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) by the end of 2026.

Latakia International Container Terminal – Syria

Latakia International Container Terminal is located at Latakia Port on Syria's Mediterranean coast. According to the published project announcement, the terminal handles more than 95% of Syria's container volumes, including shipments of agricultural products and industrial goods.

The development agreement between AD Ports Group and CMA CGM Group was signed on 6 November 2025. It establishes a joint venture and shareholders framework covering AD Ports Group's planned acquisition of a 20% stake in the terminal.

The transaction value was set at AED 81 million, equivalent to approximately USD 22 million.

The announced development scope focuses on three main areas:

• Modernisation of existing container terminal infrastructure.
• Upgrading digital systems and terminal management operations.
• Expanding container handling capacity and related operational facilities.

The agreement also provides for cooperation on shipping services and terminal operations, including potential additional feeder services connecting Latakia with other ports in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Container Terminal Capacity Expansion

The expansion of container handling capacity is a central component of the Latakia terminal development.

At the time of the November 2025 announcement, the terminal's reported annual handling capacity was 250,000 TEUs. The announced target is to increase this figure to 625,000 TEUs by the end of 2026.

This represents an additional annual handling capacity of 375,000 TEUs compared with the previously reported level.

The planned expansion is associated with terminal infrastructure improvements, digital operational systems and changes to container handling processes.

The 625,000 TEU figure represents the announced capacity target, rather than a confirmed operational result.

Terminal Operations and Concession

CMA Terminals has operated Latakia International Container Terminal since 2009.

In May 2025, an amended 30-year concession agreement was signed for the terminal's operation. The subsequent agreement between AD Ports Group and CMA CGM Group, dated 6 November 2025, introduced a joint venture and shareholders arrangement involving the planned acquisition of a 20% stake by AD Ports Group.

The two agreements provide the contractual framework associated with terminal operations and the announced infrastructure development.

The $667 Million International Port Infrastructure Programme

The Latakia terminal development is included among five principal locations identified in AD Ports Group's 2026 port infrastructure investment programme.

According to the published programme information, the total allocated investment is USD 667 million, equivalent to approximately AED 2.45 billion.

The programme covers port infrastructure and operational development in:

• Syria: Latakia International Container Terminal.
• United Arab Emirates: Khalifa Port.
• Egypt: Noatum Ports – Safaga Terminal.
• Pakistan: Karachi Gateway Terminals.
• Angola: Luanda Terminal.

The wider programme includes container terminal expansion, dredging, bulk cargo handling improvements, energy bunkering facilities and supporting logistics infrastructure.

The USD 667 million allocation relates to the international programme as a whole. No individual financial allocation for Latakia Port has been specified in the published information.

Port Infrastructure Development in Other Markets

Alongside the Syrian project, the programme includes infrastructure and terminal development activities in Egypt, Pakistan, the UAE and Angola. These projects involve different operational requirements and implementation schedules.

Safaga Terminal – Egypt

Noatum Ports – Safaga Terminal is a multipurpose port development located on Egypt's Red Sea coast.

On 9 June 2026, trial operations commenced at the terminal ahead of its planned full operational launch later in the year.

The terminal covers approximately 810,000 square metres and includes a 1,000-metre quay wall.

Its planned handling capacities include:

• Container cargo: up to 450,000 TEUs.
• Dry bulk and general cargo: up to 5 million tonnes.
• Liquid bulk cargo: up to 1 million tonnes.
• Roll-on/Roll-off cargo: up to 50,000 CEUs.

The terminal is being developed under a 30-year concession agreement signed in 2023 with Egypt's Red Sea Ports Authority.

Its equipment includes three ship-to-shore cranes and six rubber-tyred gantry cranes, delivered in April 2026.

Karachi Gateway Terminals – Pakistan

The Karachi Gateway Terminals development includes dredging works at the container and multipurpose terminal facilities.

On 2 September 2025, a dredging agreement was announced between Karachi Gateway Terminal and Van Oord.

At Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited (KGTL), the project specifications include increasing the permitted vessel length from 305 to 350 metres and vessel draft from 13 to 15.5 metres.

The container handling capacity is targeted to increase from 750,000 TEUs to 1 million TEUs.

At Karachi Gateway Terminal Multipurpose Limited (KGTML), the dredging programme is designed to increase bulk vessel handling capacity from 60,000 to 120,000 tonnes.

The original announcement scheduled completion of the dredging works for the first quarter of 2026.

Khalifa Port – United Arab Emirates

Khalifa Port is included in the programme's wider infrastructure development activities, covering terminal upgrades and supporting maritime facilities.

A separate development agreement signed on 4 November 2025 between AD Ports Group and Nimex Terminals covers the establishment of dedicated LNG and LPG terminal facilities.

Under the agreements, AD Ports Group committed up to AED 1.3 billion (approximately USD 354 million) for infrastructure, primarily dredging and jetty development. Nimex Terminals committed up to AED 2.6 billion (approximately USD 700 million) for storage tanks and associated terminal facilities.

The planned LNG terminal covers 130,000 square metres and includes storage capacity of 400,000 cubic metres. The LPG terminal covers 90,000 square metres, with planned storage capacity of 280,000 cubic metres.

Initial operations are expected by mid-2028, while steady-state operations are projected for 2031 for LNG and 2033 for LPG.

These investments relate specifically to the Khalifa Port energy infrastructure development and are separate from the announced investment agreement for Latakia International Container Terminal.

Luanda Terminal – Angola

Luanda Terminal is identified as another location within the 2026 international port infrastructure programme.

The programme includes Angola among its five principal markets for port and logistics development. However, the published information does not provide a separate investment value, terminal capacity target or detailed construction schedule for the Luanda development.

Infrastructure, Technology and Operational Improvements

The international port development programme includes several categories of infrastructure and operational improvements.

These include:

Terminal Infrastructure: Expansion and modernisation of container terminals, cargo handling areas and supporting port facilities.

Marine Infrastructure: Dredging operations designed to improve access for larger vessels and accommodate changes in vessel dimensions and draft requirements.

Cargo Handling Equipment: Installation and upgrading of cranes and other terminal equipment for container, bulk and multipurpose cargo operations.

Digital Systems: Integration of digital terminal management and AI-based operational systems within the wider port development programme.

Energy Infrastructure: Development of LNG and LPG storage facilities and maritime bunkering services at designated locations.

Environmental Equipment: Planned deployment of electric tugs and equipment, alongside measures aimed at reducing carbon intensity across port operations.

These activities are programme-wide development categories. Their specific application and scope vary between individual port locations.

Project Timeline and Key Milestones

The main published milestones associated with Latakia and the wider international programme include:

• 4 November 2025: Agreements signed for LNG and LPG terminal development at Khalifa Port.
• 6 November 2025: Joint venture and shareholders agreement signed for the planned acquisition of a 20% stake in Latakia International Container Terminal.
• 2 September 2025: Dredging agreement announced for Karachi Gateway Terminals.
• 9 June 2026: Trial operations commenced at Noatum Ports – Safaga Terminal.
• 2026: Implementation and phased commercial operations across the wider port infrastructure programme.
• End of 2026: Announced target for Latakia International Container Terminal to reach 625,000 TEUs.
• Mid-2028: Expected initial operations at the Khalifa Port LNG and LPG facilities.

The different port developments follow separate technical and operational schedules. The published information does not establish one common completion date for all five locations.

Latakia Port Development and 2026 Investment Programme – Project Overview

Syrian Port Development

• Port: Latakia Port, Syria.
• Terminal: Latakia International Container Terminal (LICT).
• Agreement Date: 6 November 2025.
• Planned Stake Acquisition: 20%.
• Transaction Value: AED 81 million (approximately USD 22 million).
• Reported Existing Capacity: 250,000 TEUs.
• Target Capacity: 625,000 TEUs.
• Target Date: End of 2026.
• Terminal Operator: CMA Terminals.
• Operating Concession: Amended 30-year concession agreement signed in May 2025.
• Main Development Activities: Infrastructure modernisation, digital systems and container handling improvements.

International Investment Programme

• Programme Name: AD Ports Group 2026 Port Infrastructure Development Programme.
• Reported Total Investment: USD 667 million.
• Equivalent Value: AED 2.45 billion.
• Programme Locations: Syria, UAE, Egypt, Pakistan and Angola.
• Main Infrastructure Activities: Terminal expansion, dredging, cargo handling improvements, maritime infrastructure and logistics facilities.
• Additional Khalifa Port Infrastructure Allocation: Up to USD 354 million for LNG and LPG terminal infrastructure.

The development of Latakia International Container Terminal forms part of AD Ports Group's wider 2026 port infrastructure expansion programme. In Syria, the project focuses on terminal modernisation, digital operational systems and a planned increase in container handling capacity to 625,000 TEUs. The wider investment programme covers five international port locations, with separate infrastructure projects and implementation arrangements in each market.

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