ICTSI readies to take over Syrian terminal

ICTSI readies to take over Syrian terminal International Container Terminal Services Inc. is gearing up to take over the operations at the Tartous International Container Terminal (TICT) in Syria later this month, following the signing of a 10-year concession in November.
   Located on the North Quay, Pier B in the port, the concession site comprises 540 meters (1,771.6 feet) of quay with a draught of 12 meters to 13 meters (39.4 feet to 42.7 feet) alongside and a 250,000-square meter terminal area. ICTSI said it plans to invest $37 million on the development of TICT in order to turn the port into a gateway to Syria’s capital, Damascus, and also to serve as a junction for Southern European, North African and Middle East trade.
   “This is an exciting development for Syria which allows it to compete on equal terms with other container ports in the region,” said Budhajev Majumdar, general manager and chief executive officer of TICT.