CMA CGM has moved forward with the second phase of Latakia Port’s expansion, following Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé’s meeting with Syria’s President in Damascus.
Building on the initial €30 million ($34 million) upgrade already in progress, the Group has committed a wider €200 million ($231 million) investment under a renewed 30-year concession agreement signed on 1 May 2025. The deal secures CMA CGM’s long-term management and redevelopment of Syria’s principal international container gateway, the Latakia International Container Terminal (LICT), which currently handles nearly 95% of the country’s containerised trade.
The expansion programme is designed to transform Latakia into a leading regional trade hub and support Syria’s economic revival. Key measures include:
- Capacity boost: Terminal capacity to exceed one million TEUs annually.
- Infrastructure upgrades: Berths deepened to 16 metres to handle larger vessels.
- Technology & efficiency: Deployment of modern cargo-handling equipment, digitalised operations, and integrated logistics platforms.
- Connectivity: Enhanced rail and road links to streamline cargo movement across Syria and neighbouring markets.
- Extended logistics network: Development and operation of dry ports nationwide.
The expansion aligns with CMA CGM’s broader global logistics strategy and reinforces its role in rebuilding and modernising Syria’s maritime trade infrastructure.
In parallel, CMA CGM has announced the upgrade of its NEFWI (PCRF) service, effective January 2026, further strengthening connectivity across the region.
