Sabra : I expect the maritime transport sector to be privatized
The new Syrian administration has also established a General Authority for Land and Sea Ports
MoU between DP World and Tartous Port and CMA CGM ( which
invested in the port of Latakia for 30 years) confirms that Syria has returned as a major player.
Interview from Syria : Iyead Khalil
Abdul Qader Sabra is the founder and former president of the Syrian Chamber of ٍShipping and the founder of the maritime renaissance that began in Syria in 2006 during his founding and presidency of the Syrian Chamber of Shipping at the time. He is one of the most important Syrian ship owners, father and grandfather.
Sabra in exclusive interview with Maritime Tickers emphasizes revive the Syrian flag on Ships is very easy processes as long as the legal framework is in place Pointing The policies pursued by the former regime were marred by numerous obstacles that hindered the expansion of the Syrian fleet and the registration of ships under the Syrian flag.
Sabra expact the maritime transport sector to be privatized after The new Syrian administration has also established a General Authority for Land and Sea Ports
What was your role during your tenure as head of the Chamber of Shipping and what was the impact of the previous government’s policies on the maritime sector?
The policies pursued by the former regime were marred by numerous obstacles that hindered the expansion of the Syrian fleet and the registration of ships under the Syrian flag.To address these challenges, the Syrian Chamber of Shipping was established as a non-governmental organization advocating for shipowners, shipping agents, and workers in the Syrian maritime transport sector, after the absence of these institutions in Syria for nearly five decades.
The Chamber’s first achievement was the issuance of a decree permitting the registration of ships. Previously, it was impossible to register Syrian ships, as the vessel had to be brought to Syrian ports for registration, a complex process. After considerable effort, we succeeded in issuing a decree permitting the registration of ships in accordance with flags of convenience countries (FOCs). with the classification societies being authorized to issue certificates, this was a very significant achievement at the time.
We also established international relations with various shipping chambers. We then signed a memorandum of understanding MoU with the ports of Marseille, who sent a technical delegation, and we held a seminar in Latakia to implement the Exchange of Maritime Information (EDE) program, a system linking customs with banks, which contributes to facilitating the clearance and flow of goods more quickly. This system has contributed to reducing corruption, as it is a software system that reduces human intervention.
What is your opinion on the next economic phase?
Today, Syria has been liberated from authoritarian rule, and the new leadership in Syria has announced a free economy. This will represent a major qualitative shift and contribute to improving the economy, wages, and salaries. We saw that the Minister of Transport under the new administration held a meeting in Tartous, where he expressed his willingness to listen to the demands and proposals of experts and stakeholders in the maritime sector.
I expect the maritime transport sector to be privatized. The new Syrian administration has also established a General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, which is linked to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Transport. This is a serious step that reflects the new administration’s interest in facilitating matters in this regard. The country is open to all investments from all countries. I also expect that all sectors in Syria will witness significant development. I am very optimistic about Syria’s future. The country has become more open and free, which will contribute to attracting investment.
Related : Exclusive with Gavin Allwright : Secretary General of (IWSA) ( 1- 3 )
Is it possible to revive the Syrian flag on ships?
The legal framework is in place, so the process is, in principle, easy, and there are no taxes imposed. However, with the sanctions imposed by the international community on the former regime, it became impossible to fly the Syrian flag on ships. Today, after the regime change and the lifting of sanctions, we hope to see the Syrian flag raised on hundreds of ships in the future.
What did we talk about regarding investment in Syrian ports?
Syrian ports are beginning to emerge from the dust of war and into the spotlight of international investment.Billions are flowing in, and the ports are transforming into promising gateways for regional and global trade.Investments exceeding $1 billion in just a few weeks, specifically in the ports of Tartous and Latakia.These are not just numbers, but a clear declaration that Syrian ports have become a strategic priority in the reconstruction process and economic openness.
The entry of global names such as MoU between DP World (which signed an $800 million and the port of Tartous) and the French company CMA CGM (which invested in the port of Latakia for 30 years) confirms that Syria has returned as a major player.Syria‘s geographical advantage has always been a winning combination: a Mediterranean coastline connecting it to Europe, and land extensions to Iraq, Jordan, and the Gulf.With support from Gulf, Chinese, and French capital, Syrian ports are regaining their regional and pivotal position in supply chains.
Related : Francis Zachariae ..Secretary-General of (IALA): Our dream !
What is the importance of investing in the port of Tartous?
A contract was recently signed with an Emirati port management company ( DP World ) to invest in the port of Tartous, the largest Syrian port in terms of the number of berths, and perhaps the most promising features and capabilities it offers.
The port of Tartous’s important location for Syria and its significant technical advantages qualify it to be among the most advanced ports in the Middle East, including its large water area, depths, and the size of its yards, warehouses, and docks. As you Know DP world possesses the expertise and significant financial capabilities needed to ensure the success of such projects. This step will contribute to providing significant support to the Syrian economy and creating jobs for a large number of diverse sectors working in Syria.
It will enable Tartous to become a new pivotal region for global trade, transforming it into a free trade zone and a remanufacturing and export center in the Eastern Mediterranean, similar to Jebel Ali Port in the UAE. It will also stimulate the work of maritime workshops and ship repair and rehabilitation operations due to the large number of ships that will call at the port of Tartous, creating new job opportunities.
