The number of ships that docked at Beirut harbor during 2010 was 2285, less by 4.6 percent from those that entered it in 2009. The number of containers exchanged during 2010 was down by 4.5 percent, to 949,155 during that same period.

Elie Zakhour, the president of the the International Chamber of Navigation athe Beirut port, blamed the political uncertainty that engulfs the country for the decline in activities at Beirut port.

The decline in traffic was most evident last December, during which 181 ships docked at the port compared with 196 ships during the same month in 2009. The number of containers exchanged at Beirut port during December 2010 was down by 5.7 percent, to 75,546, compared to 80,125 in December 2009.