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DP World invests in Tartus Port, introduces newbuild tug
P&O Maritime Services has brought a Turkish newbuild harbour tug to Tartus Port, Syria, after DP World commenced operations at the harbour under a 30-year concession
DP World welcomed Al Fath into service after it took over operations from the Syrian General Authority for Land and Sea Ports.
The Dubai, UAE-headquartered group intends to spend US$800M to transform the harbour into an international logistics hub.
“We have embarked on a journey to transform Tartus Port into a world-class maritime gateway,” said DP World Tartus chief executive Fahad Al Banna.
“We are committed to building a modern and digitally enabled port that will grow trade, create opportunities and firmly position Tartus as a key trade hub in the eastern Mediterranean.”
Part of this commitment was to introduce Al Fath, owned by DP subsidiary P&O Maritime Logistics, ready to handle and dock ships and react to emergencies in the port.
Al Fath was built by Sanmar Shipyards in Turkey as a Sirapinar-class tug to a RAmparts 2200 design developed by Robert Allan Ltd. This 22-m tug has a beam of 11 m, a moulded depth of 4 m, a navigational draught of 5 m and advanced machinery automation systems.
Al Fath is powered by a pair of Caterpillar main engines coupled to twin Schottel Z-drives, generating a bollard pull of 50 tonnes and has a free running speed of 12 knots.
DP World said harbour tugs at the port guide large vessels in confined spaces, support safe and reliable ship calls, improve berthing, reduce turnaround times and improve overall port safety, while acting as first-responders in marine emergencies.
It is now assessing Tartus Port’s infrastructure including equipment, quay readiness and yard and warehouse facilities, and plans to dredge port access channels, basins and berths to achieve optimal design depths.
DP World will rehabilitate and replace existing handling equipment and introduce new specialised assets enabling the port to meet the growing demand for bulk and breakbulk cargo.
In the medium term, DP World plans to upgrade port infrastructure and superstructure, expand handling and storage capacity, and invest in bulk handling systems and container cranes.
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