The first convoys of Iraqi fuel oil tankers entered Syria through the al-Tanf border crossing, opposite the al-Waleed border crossing on the Iraqi side, and headed toward the Baniyas refinery in western Syria, according to the Syrian Ministry of Energy on Wednesday, April 1.
The ministry said the shipments are being unloaded into designated storage tanks at the refinery, in preparation for transfer to the Baniyas oil terminal and loading onto tankers for export.
It added that this is being done in line with available storage capacity and through operational mechanisms that reflect Syria’s national infrastructure’s readiness to manage this type of operation.
The ministry described the move as marking a new phase in energy transit through Syria and strengthening the country’s “vital” role in linking regional markets.
It also said the start of these shipments reflects what it called Syria’s regained strategic position as a safe and reliable energy corridor.
According to the ministry, the move will help support the stability of regional markets and provide efficient transport routes amid current regional shifts, serving national interests and strengthening Syria’s presence on the regional energy map.
Crossing reopened for tanker convoys
Mazen Alloush, director of Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, announced on March 31 that the al-Tanf, al-Waleed border crossing had reopened, confirming the entry of the first convoys of Iraqi oil tankers heading to the Baniyas oil terminal.
Alloush said the reopening came within the framework of strengthening economic cooperation between Syria and Iraq, adding that the step reflects “the activation of commercial transit movement and the enhancement of energy transit flows through Syrian territory.”
According to Reuters, Iraq’s state oil marketer SOMO signed contracts to supply about 650,000 metric tons of fuel oil per month from April through June, to be transported overland through Syria, according to a company document seen by the agency and Iraqi energy sector officials.
Two sources familiar with the matter, whom Reuters did not name, said the end of the war in Syria, along with the Israel-Iran war, means Syrian territory is now the best option, even if it is more costly.
Iraq’s production declines
For his part, Mujahid al-Dulaimi, head of al-Waleed district in Iraq, told the Iraqi News Agency on March 31 that more than 150 tankers were waiting to enter Syrian territory, expecting the number of tankers crossing to reach at least 500 per day.
Al-Dulaimi described the move as an “important indicator” for reviving trade movement between the two countries.
Iraq, the second-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, was among the first producers to cut output after the war began, according to the economic outlet Asharq Business.
Production fell to about 1.2 million barrels per day from a previous 4.3 million barrels per day because storage facilities had filled up, the outlet quoted oil ministry spokesperson Abdul Sahib al-Hassnawi as saying.
The country was also forced to halt operations at its oil terminals after Iranian strikes targeted two oil tankers in its territorial waters.
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