Activity at Syrian ports continued to rise rapidly, according to data published by the Ports of Lattakia and Tartous.
In 2006, the country's two main maritime ports handled a total of 20.85 million tons of cargo and 510 619 containers, a growth of 5.8 percent and 20.9 percent respectively from the previous year. These figures stood at 19.7 million tons of cargo and 422 230 containers in 2005.
Income generated from these activities remained almost stable for the second continuous year. The total income stood at SYP 5.44 billion (USD 108.8 million) in 2006, a slight growth of 1.1 percent from the previous year when revenues stood at SYP 5.38 billion (USD 107.6 million).
The Port of Lattakia, the country's first container port, handled last year 8.09 million tons of cargo and 471 970 containers, an increase of 10.5 percent and 20.8 percent respectively from the previous year. In 2005, Lattakia handled 7.32 million tons of goods and 390 769 containers. The port generated revenues of SYP 2.49 billion from its activities in 2006, an increase of 2 percent from 2005.
Meanwhile, the Port of Tartous, the largest in terms of cargo volume, handled a total of 12.76 million tons of goods and 38 649 containers, an increase of 3 percent and 22.8 percent respectively from 2005 when these figures stood at 12.38 million tons and 31 461. The port generated some SYP 2.95 billion (USD 59 million) in revenues for the second continuous year. The Port of Tartous recently contracted with ICTSI from the Philippines for a 10-year concession to build and manage a container terminal.
Syrian ports continued to benefit last year from transit trade with Iraq in addition to the diversion of some of the activity of the Port of Beirut during the Israeli attack on Lebanon in the summer period.
In 2006, the country's two main maritime ports handled a total of 20.85 million tons of cargo and 510 619 containers, a growth of 5.8 percent and 20.9 percent respectively from the previous year. These figures stood at 19.7 million tons of cargo and 422 230 containers in 2005.
Income generated from these activities remained almost stable for the second continuous year. The total income stood at SYP 5.44 billion (USD 108.8 million) in 2006, a slight growth of 1.1 percent from the previous year when revenues stood at SYP 5.38 billion (USD 107.6 million).
The Port of Lattakia, the country's first container port, handled last year 8.09 million tons of cargo and 471 970 containers, an increase of 10.5 percent and 20.8 percent respectively from the previous year. In 2005, Lattakia handled 7.32 million tons of goods and 390 769 containers. The port generated revenues of SYP 2.49 billion from its activities in 2006, an increase of 2 percent from 2005.
Meanwhile, the Port of Tartous, the largest in terms of cargo volume, handled a total of 12.76 million tons of goods and 38 649 containers, an increase of 3 percent and 22.8 percent respectively from 2005 when these figures stood at 12.38 million tons and 31 461. The port generated some SYP 2.95 billion (USD 59 million) in revenues for the second continuous year. The Port of Tartous recently contracted with ICTSI from the Philippines for a 10-year concession to build and manage a container terminal.
Syrian ports continued to benefit last year from transit trade with Iraq in addition to the diversion of some of the activity of the Port of Beirut during the Israeli attack on Lebanon in the summer period.