DAMASCUS/ISTANBUL 

Syria resumed heavy crude oil exports from the Tartus terminal on the country’s western coast for the first time in years, the Energy Ministry said Monday.

In a statement, the ministry said 600,000 barrels of heavy crude oil were exported on Monday from the Tartus terminal aboard the tanker Nissos Christiana for the benefit of B Serve Energy Company.

The ministry described the shipment as part of government directives and state oil company plans “to strengthen Syria’s presence in foreign oil markets,” saying further export operations are planned in the coming period.

The statement hailed the move as an important step in revitalizing the oil sector and expanding cooperation with international companies.

In June, Syria resumed exports of non-crude petroleum products from the Baniyas refinery in Tartus province, sending an initial shipment of 30,000 metric tons to international markets.

Baniyas, about 35 km north of Tartus, is home to Syria’s largest refinery and a specialized oil port.

Before Syria’s civil war in 2011, oil accounted for 20% of the country’s GDP, half of its exports, and more than 50% of state revenues. The country produced 390,000 barrels per day in 2010, but output fell sharply to around 40,000 bpd in 2023.

During 14 years of unrest, Syria relied heavily on Iranian oil shipments for electricity generation, but supplies were cut after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia, ending the Ba'ath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963. A new transitional administration led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa was formed in January.