The Syrian Ministry of Energy announced on Monday the resumption of heavy oil exports from the Tartus port terminal in western Syria, for the first time in years.

According to a statement on the ministry’s Telegram channel, “Today, 600,000 barrels of heavy oil were exported from the oil terminal in Tartus aboard the tanker Nesos Christiana on behalf of B Serve Energy (affiliation not specified).”

The statement added that this came “within the framework of government directives and the plans of the General Directorate of Oil at the Ministry of Energy to enhance Syria’s presence in foreign oil markets, marking the first step in years.”

This achievement is considered an important step in revitalizing the oil sector and expanding cooperation with global companies, with further export operations expected in the coming period, according to the same statement.

Last June, Syria resumed exporting non-crude oil products from the Baniyas refinery (located in Tartus Governorate), sending an initial shipment of 30,000 metric tons to international markets.

Baniyas city is located about 35 km north of Tartus. It is a small coastal city but strategic because it hosts Syria’s largest oil refinery and a specialized oil port for crude import and export.

In 2010, oil accounted for 20% of Syria’s GDP, half of its exports, and more than 50% of government revenues.

The country used to produce 390,000 barrels of oil per day, but production sharply declined to just 40,000 barrels per day in 2023.

During the popular uprising against the former regime, Syria used to receive most of the oil for electricity generation from Iran, but supplies were cut off after Bashar al-Assad was ousted last December.

On December 8, 2024, Syrian factions took control of the country, ending 61 years of Baath Party rule and 53 years of Assad family dominance.