International Container Terminal Services (ICTS) of the Philippines will commence operations at Tartous container terminal in early 2007, following the signing of its operating concession with Tartous Port General Company (TPGC). Under the 10-year build-operate-transfer concession signed in late November, ICTS will invest $37 million to develop the terminal at Tartous port, 258 kilometres west of Damascus. 'The terminal upgrade will target the local market first before looking at the potential of Jordan and Iraq,' says ICTS vice-president Harsh Khare.