The foundation-stone ceremony was held today at the Port of Beirut under the patronage and in the presence of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, alongside Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny, Chairman and General Manager of the Port of Beirut Marwan Naffi, and Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group. Senior officials and representatives of the maritime and logistics sectors also attended.
A project to contribute to the development of the Lebanese economy
As the Port of Beirut’s container terminal is already performing up to its current annual maximum handling capacity, this major expansion will permit to accommodate growing volumes, support the future needs of Lebanese trade and strengthen Beirut’s position as a key gateway for the country and the region. The project builds on CMA Terminals’ role in managing, operating and maintaining the container terminal under a 10-year contract that began in March 2022, following a successful international public tendering process.
A project to expand capacity and modernize operations to more than double the capacity of the container terminal
The project will primarily expand the terminal’s container stacking areas, expanding yard space from 45 to 80 hectares and annual handling capacity from 1.2 million to 2.8 million TEUs.
It is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete the works program that will include:
- A new quay for feeder vessels, equipped with two mobile cranes, to reduce vessel and cargo waiting times.
- A new customs inspection area and two X-ray scanners to support Lebanon’s efforts to secure cargo flows and strengthen port security.
- Additional parking and staging areas, along with a heavy-haul bridge, to improve traffic flow and ease congestion.
- New-generation cargo-handling equipment, including hybrid and energy-efficient machinery, to optimize operations, reduce energy consumption and limit environmental impact.
Optimized container storage areas and an automated gate complex to enhance the terminal’s efficiency.
Strengthening Lebanon’s economic lifeline
The expansion marks a new milestone in reinforcing the Port of Beirut’s role as the country’s economic lifeline and in strengthening its connections to global and regional markets. With its strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Port of Beirut is well positioned to support the development of emerging logistics corridors across the region.
CMA CGM’s contribution covers financing and planning the expansion, ordering and supervising the works, and executing the project.
Through this investment, CMA CGM is supporting the infrastructure Lebanon needs to strengthen its trade connectivity and seize new regional opportunities. The project reflects the Group’s long-term confidence in Lebanon and its continued commitment to the country’s economic development and long-term growth.
Mr. Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group, commented: "Since taking over the Beirut Container Terminal concession four years ago, we have given the terminal the means not only to recover but to thrive and reclaim its rightful place. Today, the launch of the expansion project marks a new milestone. This investment will position the Beirut Container Terminal as a regional hub in an ever-evolving global trade landscape. It reflects CMA CGM’s long-term commitment to Lebanon and our confidence in the country’s future."
Marwan Naffi, Chairman and Director General of the Port of Beirut, affirmed that “The expansion of the container terminal is a strategic step, reflecting a clear decision to move the port into a new phase of growth and competitiveness, and to restore its role on the regional and international trade map. He noted that increasing the terminal’s annual capacity to three million TEUs gives the Port of Beirut a genuine opportunity to reclaim its position as a major regional logistics hub at a time when trade routes are shifting, and ports are competing to strengthen their presence and attract more trade. He stressed that the expansion lays the foundation for a port better prepared for the future, capable of supporting the Lebanese economy and paving the way for Beirut to return to the heart of trade between East and West."
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