Measures to improve traffic at Beirut Port

Committee established to oversee implementation

Authorities in charge of operating the Port of Beirut have taken a set of decisions to facilitate workflow at the port. The measures aim to reduce traffic congestion resulting from the cutoff of overland trade routes due to the crisis in Syria.

A committee will be formed to carry out these measures. The committee comprises the Public Transport Directorate at the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, the Beirut Traders Association, the Port Authority, Customs, General Security, and the operating company Beirut Container Terminal Consortium (BCTC). The committee will schedule a meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati to follow up on these measures.

The plan involves increasing the working hours of Customs staff. “The Customs office at the Port suffers from a shortage of employees, which has worsened the congestion problem,” said Elie Zakhour, head of the Beirut International Chamber of Navigation.

The Industrial Research Institute will also take the necessary steps to expedite the inspection of incoming containers as part of the plan. The Port will allocate a plot of 63,000 square meters for the mechanical inspection of imported used cars. A strict deadline will be imposd on car importers to make use of this space.

The Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture also promised to find a solution to allow a faster flow of goods from the Port to the local market.

“Some of the measures require a decision by ministers and official authorities while others can be resolved by authorities that work at the Port,” said Zakhour.