The project to increase the capacity of the port also includes the installation of new handling equipment for containers and general cargo including quay cranes, gantry cranes, fork-lift trucks, straddle carriers and tugboats. Sources on the project say the first tenders for the supply of this equipment are expected in the third quarter of this year.

The project is being 50 per cent funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and 50 per cent by the Transport Ministry. On 22 May, the EIB signed a loan agreement with the ministry to provide a $58.5 million loan to TPGC for the project. The EIB loan will finance the procurement of equipment, while government funds will cover the costs of the civil engineering works. Officials from the EIB will travel to Damascus in the first week of July to finalise details of the equipment procurement process.

Currently there are no consultants involved in the project, though the project sources say this may change in the second half of the year if it is felt external support is needed for supervision, detailed design and project management.

The development of the Tartous port is part of a wider programme by Damascus to develop local ports. The EIB hopes increased passenger capacity at Tartous will boost the local tourism industry (MEED 30:5:03).