Damascus, March 31 (SANA) – Syria’s freight transport sector recorded more than 4.63 million tons of cargo moved during the first quarter of 2026, reflecting increased activity in both domestic and cross-border transport, the Ministry of Transport said.
Khaled al-Kas’ha, director of freight transport regulation at the ministry, said in a statement to SANA on Tuesday that the total included over 855,000 tons transported between Syrian provinces and more than 3.78 million tons moved through border crossings.
He said the figures are based on average daily transport levels and indicate a continued rise in freight movement and improved performance in the sector.
According to al-Kas’ha, domestic freight transport averaged around 9,500 tons per day, while cross-border shipments through land crossings reached approximately 42,000 tons daily.
Regulatory measures and digital plans
Al-Kas’ha said the ministry has reactivated freight transport regulation offices across provinces and strengthened monitoring of truck traffic to improve road safety and protect road infrastructure.
The ministry has also updated freight tariffs periodically to reflect economic changes and is working to qualify transport companies with sufficient technical and financial capacity.
He added that authorities are developing a specialized electronic platform for freight transport aimed at digitizing the sector and improving service efficiency.
Electronic tracking and fleet modernization
The ministry is preparing to introduce GPS tracking systems for trucks as part of a broader plan that includes modernizing the transport fleet and establishing a centralized database linking provincial offices with the central administration.
The database will include information on trucks, transport companies, drivers, cargo and transport routes.
Sector challenges
Al-Kas’ha said the sector still faces challenges, including the aging truck fleet, infrastructure maintenance needs and uneven service levels across provinces.
Future plans focus on accelerating the sector’s digital transformation, updating regulatory frameworks and strengthening cooperation with the private sector through the establishment of new freight companies and training programs in road transport and safety.
Cross-border freight transport currently operates through the Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salam crossings toward Türkiye, Jdeidet Yabous toward Lebanon, and Nassib toward Jordan, with an estimated door-to-door shipping time of around 10 hours.
Kh.A
