Port of Tripoli activity up

Exports increase by
more than 90 percent

Activity at the Port of Tripoli increased during the first half of 2013 with the total amount of processed goods reaching around 725,000 tons, a 22 percent year-on-year increase.

Port revenues totaled $5.7 million, up by only one percent compared to the same period of last year. Revenues are usually generated from port fees as well as leasing land lots. Ahmad Tamer, Port Director, said: “Land lots are mostly rented by metal traders, but so far this year not many traders have done that.” He expected revenues to go up more in the second half of the year. “Last year, we started out strong and in the second half we didn’t do so well but this year, indications show the opposite is likely to happen.”

Imports at the port grew by six percent to 512,750 tons. This indicates a growing consumption rate in the market, in addition to increased transit movement, according to Tamer.

Exports went up by 92 percent. Six percent of the total market exports go through the Port of Tripoli. “The increase is mainly attributed to higher coal exports and trucks carrying heavy machinery,” said Tamer. Most trucks were loaded with generators and mechanical equipment, among other industrial items, shipped to Jordan, Turkey, and northern Iraq.

On average, around 700 passengers travel to and from Turkey through the port. Tamer said: “Around 70 percent of these passengers are Syrian refugees fleeing the war.”

The total number of vessels rose by 33 percent to 266. According to Tamer, the rise is attributed to the ro-ro boats travelling the newly created maritime routes.