ONE Extends Levant Presence With New Agency Appointment in Syria

Ocean Network Express has appointed Seanautics Maritime Services LLC as its official agent in Syria, extending the container line’s coverage across the Levant. Seanautics, already ONE’s agent in Lebanon, will serve Syrian customers from offices in Damascus and Latakia. Operations are scheduled to begin in January 2027.

 

The Appointment

 

ONE announced the appointment from London on 9 November 2026, citing growing regional demand. The move builds on the carrier’s long-standing partnership with Seanautics in Lebanon and extends that relationship into the neighboring Syrian market. Seanautics has been present in the region for 25 years. It will give customers direct access to ONE’s global network of products and services.

The agency will provide on-the-ground support through experienced local staff in Damascus, the capital, and Latakia, Syria’s main container port. Local agents handle bookings, documentation, customs coordination, and customer service for international carriers. Strong local agents are especially valuable in markets where regulations, infrastructure and procedures differ from global norms. Having an established partner in place should make it easier for ONE to serve Syrian shippers from launch.

 

Company Perspectives

 

Tomohiro Hosaka, Managing Director of ONE Europe and Africa, said a dedicated presence in Syria is an essential step to support customers’ growing operational and supply chain needs in the country. He said Seanautics brings deep insight into the local market and the practical realities of shipping in Syria. Hosaka added that ONE is excited to help customers expand their trade. He said the carrier’s global standards and dedicated local service will support this.

Raed G. Baconi, Deputy CEO of Seanautics Maritime Services, described representing ONE in Syria as an exciting milestone for the company. He said its teams in Latakia and Damascus are ready to provide hands-on, dependable agency services. Baconi said Seanautics looks forward to connecting Syrian trade with key international markets through ONE’s liner network. The appointment combines ONE’s international container network with Seanautics’ experience in both Lebanon and Syria.

 

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ONE’s Regional Expansion

 

The Syria appointment continues a series of agency moves by ONE around the Mediterranean and nearby regions. In 2025, the carrier appointed an agent in Libya, completing its coverage of every country in North Africa. In December 202,5 it named Centralog Albania as its agent in Albania, strengthening its presence in the Adriatic. ONE has also opened its own branch in Greece and reorganized agency arrangements in West Africa.

These moves reflect a strategy of filling gaps in ONE’s network as trade patterns shift. Smaller and emerging markets are often served through transshipment hubs, with local agents handling customer relationships. For the Levant, cargo is likely to connect through established eastern Mediterranean hubs. Expanding coverage helps ONE capture trade that might otherwise go to competitors with a stronger local presence.

 

Syria’s Reopening Trade

 

The appointment comes as Syria’s trade links gradually reopen following political change in the country. Many Western sanctions on Syria were eased in 2025, reopening routes for international business and shipping. Reconstruction needs and pent-up demand for imports are expected to drive container volumes over time. International carriers and logistics companies have been assessing how to re-enter the market.

Operating in Syria still presents practical challenges, including damaged infrastructure, currency issues, and a changing regulatory environment. Experienced local partners can help carriers navigate these conditions and manage risk. By appointing an agent with 25 years in the region, ONE is positioning itself early as trade recovers. The start of operations in January 2027 will show how quickly demand develops.

 

Source: ONE