CMA CGM will operate Syrian port

CMA CGM will manage and operate a container terminal in the port of Lattakia, Syria's main port on the Mediterranean.

   The French shipping line signed a concession agreement with the Lattakia Port General Co. to manage and operate the Lattakia Container Terminal for 10 years, extendable to 15 years.

   The 170-acre terminal will be operated by a consortium comprising CMA CGM/Terminal Link (51 percent), and Souria Holding (49 percent), a Syrian limited liability company. It handled 570,000 TEUs in 2008 and the consortium plans to increase capacity to 1 million TEUs by 2012.

   Operations by CMA CGM/Terminal Link/Souria will start in July.

Source: American Shipper