The General Authority of Tartous Port has cancelled the investment contract with the Russian company controlling the port and asked the Russian port employees to leave the country immediately.
The Syrian newspaper Al-Watan quoted the Director of Tartous Customs, Riyad Judi, on Sunday as saying that the agreement signed with the Russian company to invest in the port of Tartous has been cancelled and that all the port’s revenues have become for the benefit of the Syrian state.
Work will be done to rehabilitate the dilapidated port and equip the buildings and yards, as part of the government’s efforts to restructure and organize the port’s work in line with the country’s interests. Workers will also be returned to their owners in the port.
Judi pointed out that the high customs laws and fees during the previous regime were one of the main reasons for the disruption of work in the port, which prompted effective steps to be taken to fix the situation.
The Syrian port of Tartous was a major facility for Russian occupation operations in Syria, as well as throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
In December 2017, the Russian Federation Council ratified an agreement with the then-Assad government on the access of Russian forces to the naval base in Tartus, in order to consolidate Russia’s presence in Syria and pave the way for a permanent military presence in naval and air bases there. It was also agreed that Russia would expand and modernize the port’s capabilities to provide services and facilities to its fleet.
Under this agreement, which was canceled today, the Russian Navy was allowed to expand its technical and logistical support base. It was also able to visit Russian ships in Syrian territorial waters, internal waters and ports.
The canceled agreement with the Russian company included investment, development, operation and modernization of infrastructure. It was planned to remain in effect for 49 years, with the possibility of extending it for periods of 25 years, but the agreement was met with local criticism due to its terms, which were considered unbalanced in favor of the Russian side.
*A bridgehead for Russia
Tartus has become a bridgehead for Russia to expand its power not only in Syria, but also in the Middle East, as well as in Africa and other regions.
After 2015, Russia actively used its ships in the Baltic and Black Seas to supply the port and transport heavy weapons and construction equipment. In 2019, a construction company linked to a businessman close to the Kremlin was awarded a contract to manage and expand the port.
The port has the capacity to berth up to 11 ships, including nuclear-powered vessels. Several diesel-electric submarines have been in and out of the facility and have been used to launch Kalibr cruise missiles at Syrian targets.
The port’s depth also accommodates larger ships, including the Russian Navy’s flagship, the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, which was deployed in the eastern Mediterranean between October 2016 and January 2017.
The port is close to all institutions and companies related to port operations, such as the Free Zone Directorate, the Customs Directorate, and the Shipping Agencies Company.
*Other unfair agreements
According to observers, there are many other unfair agreements related to exploration rights, energy, and military bases that the new government can nullify under international law and international courts.
According to the "New Turkey" website, the new government in Syria seeks to develop a comprehensive vision for the development of the port of Tartous, including improving infrastructure, securing sufficient labor, and enhancing operational efficiency.
This development is expected to contribute to raising the efficiency of the port to become a focal point for trade in the region, with transparent mechanisms in place to serve investors and exporters.
Fares Al-Rifai - Zaman Al-Wasl
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