Market update
Syrian port traffic rose through the first half of 2026, giving importers a credible reason to weigh direct Latakia and Tartous calls against routing everything overland.
Published · Midtrans Shipping And Services
Reviewed by Khaldoun Al-Khouli, General Manager
When to weigh a direct Syrian call against the overland route.
Volumes
Syria's two main ports handled roughly 945 vessels and about 8 million tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2026 — Tartous around 551 vessels and 5 million tonnes, and Latakia around 394 vessels, 2.86 million tonnes and 171,000 containers — according to figures published by the state agency SANA on 6 August 2026.
Independent data
Independent tracking by Lloyd's List Intelligence recorded 376 vessel calls at Syrian ports in the second quarter of 2026, up 101% year-on-year — an outside check on the state figures pointing the same way.
Direct Syrian call or overland? MIDTRANS runs a corridor assessment for your cargo.
Context
As context for the rise in commercial traffic, most primary US sanctions had been eased and, on 24 August 2026, the United States rescinded Syria's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. The figures above are as reported on the dates cited, and the situation continues to change.
What it means
For importers, direct Latakia and Tartous calls are increasingly viable, which can shorten transit and reduce the cost of the overland leg through neighbouring countries. The working questions now are berth availability, documentation and customs readiness.
MIDTRANS
MIDTRANS SHIPPING AND SERVICES coordinates the sea leg, the arrival file and customs clearance for Syria-routed shipments, preparing the declaration from cargo it has received and measured. Ask for a corridor assessment to compare a direct Syrian port call with an overland alternative.
FAQ
Yes. SANA reported roughly 945 vessels and about 8 million tonnes across the two ports in H1 2026 (6 August 2026), and Lloyd's List recorded 376 vessel calls in Q2 2026, up 101% year-on-year.
It depends on your cargo and schedule. Direct Latakia and Tartous calls are increasingly viable and can shorten transit and cut the overland leg — MIDTRANS runs a corridor assessment to compare the two for your shipment.
As context, most primary US sanctions had been eased and, on 24 August 2026, the US rescinded Syria's State Sponsor of Terrorism designation. Conditions continue to change, so confirm the current position per shipment.
According to SANA (6 August 2026), Tartous handled around 551 vessels and 5 million tonnes, and Latakia around 394 vessels, 2.86 million tonnes and 171,000 containers.
Berth availability, documentation and customs readiness are the working questions now. MIDTRANS prepares the declaration from cargo it has received and measured, so the arrival file matches the goods.
The vessel and cargo volumes are from the state agency SANA, published on 6 August 2026, and the second-quarter call count is independent tracking by Lloyd's List Intelligence. Both are as reported on those dates, and the situation continues to change.
Tell us your cargo and route — MIDTRANS will compare a direct Syrian call with the overland option and handle customs clearance.
International Shipping & Customs Assistant
