Port of Latakia

History

The port of Latakia is connected to the history of settlement in this region. There has been a port here since the early Roman Empire. When Syria became independent in 1945 it was the only seaport in the country. The export of cotton was handled by the port. In 1971, 1.6 million tons of cargo were loaded in the port. After an expansion in 1981, it was over twice as much at 3.6 million tons. Today, petroleum products such as bitumen and asphalt are exported via the port, as well as grain, cotton, vegetable oil and tobacco ("Latakia tobacco").

The embargo on Syria in response to Assad's conduct in the Syrian civil war has affected transshipment in the port since 2011. Since 2019, Iran leases parts of the port of Latakia for civilian and military use. This was followed closely by Russia, which operates its only naval base in the Mediterranean in nearby Tartus. Observers see the treaty with Iran as the attempt of a partially economically isolated country to gain access to the Mediterranean.

On 28 December 2021, shortly before dawn, the Israeli Air Force struck the port, causing heavy damage to a number of shipping containers. The site was also targeted by Israel a few weeks earlier on 7 December. An anonymous source claimed the containers were carrying weapons from Iran. According to SANA, the missile attack also wrecked the facades of a hospital, some residential buildings, and shops. The blaze was brought under control and no casualties were reported by Syrian authorities.

On the night of December 9, 2024, as part of a larger plan to neutralize Syrian military assets, the Israeli Navy launched a strike on warships in Latakia, sinking them. Photographs from the port of Latakia revealed sunken Osa-class (Project 205) missile boats, with P-15M Termit (SS-N-2C Styx) launchers visibly protruding above the water’s surface.

In May 2025, Syrian authorities signed a 30-year deal with the French shipping group CMA CGM involving the building of a new berth and the investment of €230 million in the port.

General statistics

:****** figures in millions of tonnes*

References

Bibliography

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References

1. "UNLOCODE (SY) – SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC".
2. "حول مرفأ اللاذقية".
3. (2008). "Transport". Latakia-city.gov.sy.
4. "Latakia".
5. [http://tcc-syr.com/projectview.php?id=30 1980–1983 ''Expansion of Lattakia Harbor – Lattakia.'' T. C. C.] Pictures of the expanding harbour
6. (5 April 2019). "Syria leases Mediterranean port to Iran".
7. "Israel said to strike key Syrian port of Latakia, causing 'massive' damage".
8. "In rare strike, Israeli warplanes said to attack Latakia port".
9. (2021-12-28). "Israel hits Syrian port for second time this month - Syrian army". Reuters.
10. "Israeli attack on Syria port causes 'significant material damage'".
11. (2021-12-28). "Israeli airstrike sets port of Latakia ablaze, says Syrian media".
12. Ozberk, Tayfun. (10 December 2024). "Israeli Navy Destroys Syrian Fleet In Latakia".
13. (1 May 2025). "Syria signs new 30-year deal with French shipping giant CMA CGM".
14. [http://lattakiaport.gov.sy/archive/downloads/exp10y6.xlsx Official figures]