Tartous, Aug. 11 (SANA)Berth No. 4atTartous Portbegan commercial operations on Tuesday, receiving its first vessel and launching docking and cargo-handling activities following the completion of the handover of the berth and its associated facilities and storage yards.

The move is expected to boost the port’s operational capacity and supportmaritime tradeand transport.

The first vessel docked at the berth and began unloading its cargo, marking the official start of commercial operations and adding new capacity for receiving ships, handling various types of cargo and improving the flow of goods through the port.

Youssef Arnous, head of the Operations and Investment Department at Tartous Port, told SANA that the berth entered operational service Tuesday with the arrival and unloading of its first vessel.

Arnous said the berth has a 360-meter waterfront and a draft ranging between 10 and 13 meters.

Its specifications allow it to accommodate up to three large vessels simultaneously, while adjacent storage areas support cargo handling and storage operations and help accelerate the movement of goods, he added.

Arnous said the new berth would reduce waiting times for large vessels and enable faster services for customers.

He noted that Berth No. 4 is adjacent to Berth No. 5, which is designated for handling cars and other vehicles, enhancing integration between operations and services across the port.