In a significant development for Syria’s maritime infrastructure, Syrian Ports and Customs Authority Director Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi has formalized a landmark agreement with Turkish firm Kuzey Star Shipyard. The partnership mandates the construction of an advanced shipyard facility within the strategic port of Tartus, designed to comply with rigorous international technical specifications and elevate Syria’s standing in the competitive regional maritime sector.
The project will operate under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) framework, granting Kuzey Star Shipyard comprehensive responsibility for construction, equipment provisioning, operational management, and maintenance activities. The Turkish company will also undertake shipbuilding, repair, and maintenance operations throughout the contract duration.
Notably, the investment arrangement stipulates a 30-year term from contract signing, with Kuzey Star committing to inject no less than $190 million during the initial five-year phase. These funds will dedicated to developing docks, warehousing complexes, and operational infrastructure—all without imposing financial liabilities on Syrian authorities.
A pivotal clause provides Syrian state vessels with preferential access to shipyard services, guaranteeing a 20% reduction on construction, repair, and maintenance charges to bolster expansion of the national naval fleet.
Government officials emphasized the project’s transformative socioeconomic potential, projecting approximately 1,700 direct employment opportunities and an additional 3,500 indirect jobs. The agreement further mandates that Syrian nationals constitute at least 95% of the workforce, accompanied by substantial knowledge transfer initiatives focusing on technical skill development and technological expertise acquisition.