Port of Beirut revenues soar

Transshipment activity
expected to rise

Activity at the Port of Beirut improved in the first nine months of 2013 compared to the same period last year. Revenues increased by 28 percent to $165 million.

The weight of cargo increased to 6.2 million tons, up by 16 percent. The number of containers increased by more than 20 percent.

Transshipment activity dropped by 14 percent. “The Port of Beirut had asked the two operating companies, MSC and CMA CGM, to limit this type of shipments in order to reduce congestion,” said Elie Zakhour, Head of the International Chamber of Navigation. According to him, the two companies can start resuming such activities after the container berth was recent expanded.

The Port of Beirut will ask international firms to use itsdocks as part of its goal to become a transshipment hub in the region. Zakhour expects the port’s performance to continue on an upward trend as regional circumstances improve, thanks to continued upgrades undertaken by port officials.