Syria Resumes Heavy Oil Exports After 14-Year Halt
The Syrian Ministry of Energy has announced the resumption of heavy oil exports through the port of Tartus, ending a stoppage that lasted almost 14 years.
In an official statement, it was confirmed that the oil tanker Nessus Christiana loaded approximately 600,000 barrels on Monday, September 1, for BeServ Energy, marking the first step in a plan to reintegrate Syria into international markets.
The ministry emphasized that this return is a significant milestone for revitalizing the oil sector and opens the door for new partnerships with foreign companies, noting that additional shipments are scheduled in the coming months.
Last June, Syria exported refined products from the Baniyas refinery in Tartus, amounting to 30,000 metric tons for international marketing.
Oil was one of the pillars of the Syrian economy prior to the outbreak of war, accounting for about 20% of the gross domestic product in 2010, half of exports, and over 50% of state revenues, with a daily production nearing 390,000 barrels. However, this figure sharply declined to around 40,000 barrels per day in 2023.
