Beirut, Lebanon
Beirut, Lebanon: A vibrant Mediterranean city renowned as the cultural and historical heart of the Middle East.
Port Overview
Beirut, the capital and largest city of Lebanon, is located on the Mediterranean coast at the foot of the Lebanon Mountains. As the country’s chief port, Beirut is a vital maritime gateway for the region, strategically positioned at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Port of Beirut is one of the largest and busiest in the Eastern Mediterranean, with an annual container throughput capacity of approximately 1.2 million TEU. Its central location and capacity make it a key hub for regional trade and logistics.
Facilities & Infrastructure
Beirut Port features 16 berths, including a dedicated container terminal at Quay 16 with a 700,000 TEU annual capacity. Key facilities include general cargo warehouses, a grain silo, and a logistics free zone for packing and re-export. Equipment includes six ship-to-shore gantry cranes, 18 rubber-tyred gantry cranes, and extensive container handling gear. The port also accommodates bulk, liquid, and general cargo, but does not currently use AGVs.
Container Terminals
Beirut’s container terminal has 7 dedicated berths and a handling capacity of approximately 1.5 million TEUs per year, with ongoing expansion targeting 2.1 million TEUs. The terminal features moderate automation, including ship-to-shore gantries and rubber-tyred gantry cranes. Major operators include CMA Terminals (since 2022) and the Beirut Container Terminal Consortium. Most container traffic is managed at berth 16, which accommodates the largest vessels.
Port Services
Main Services at Beirut Port, Lebanon
- Container Handling: Extensive container terminal operations with modern gantry cranes, rubber-tyred gantry cranes, and container handlers; handles both imports/exports and significant transshipment traffic.
- Cargo Operations: General cargo terminals with multiple berths, mobile cranes, reach stackers, and forklifts; handles breakbulk, project cargo, and RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) services.
- Ship Services: Full agency and husbandry services for all vessel types (container, bulk, tanker, RoRo, cruise); includes pre-arrival planning, documentation, and operational support.
- Warehousing: Multiple warehouses and a large grain silo complex for bulk storage; logistics free zone with industrial buildings and specialized storage for hazardous materials.
- Customs: Integrated customs clearance and border management; supports trade facilitation and efficient cargo flow through the port.
Global Connectivity
The Port of Beirut connects over fifty maritime routes linking Europe, China, North Africa, and the Middle East. As Lebanon's main gateway and one of the top ten Mediterranean ports, it serves as a vital transit hub for shipping goods to Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and the Gulf countries. The port handles approximately 1.3 million containers annually and manages around 70% of Lebanon's commercial trade. Its strategic location at the midpoint of three continents makes it a key regional hub and transshipment center for the Eastern Mediterranean.
Port Statistics
Port of Beirut, Lebanon – Key Statistics (2025):
- TEU throughput: 582,759 TEU (Jan–Aug 2025); record 100,000 TEU in July 2025
- World ranking: 54th globally (2024 Container Port Performance Index)
- Number of berths: 16 main berths
- Area: Approximately 1.2 million square meters
- Shipping lines: Served by major carriers, including CMA CGM (terminal operator), plus regional and international lines
