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Okaz reported from Beirut that Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Fahad bin Abdulrahman Al-Dosari attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the container terminal at Beirut Port alongside Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The event took place at Berth 16 of the port and drew political and economic figures from across the country. Al-Dosari’s presence reflected ongoing Saudi interest in Lebanese infrastructure initiatives that support regional connectivity.
Port officials indicated that the expansion will more than double the facility’s annual container handling capacity from the current 1.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units to 3 million TEUs by 2028. The project centers on upgrades at the designated berth which already features a draught exceeding 16.5 metres and a quay length of approximately 1.1 kilometres. Such enhancements are designed to accommodate larger vessels and increase overall throughput according to statements released during the ceremony.
A maritime industry report by Splash247 placed the investment at $100 million and noted that terminal operator CMA CGM is backing the development. The French shipping group has run the container terminal under concession for years and continues to integrate new equipment and systems. Port chairman and director general Marwan Naffi told attendees that the work would restore Beirut’s traditional role as a transit and transhipment hub for the eastern Mediterranean and Levant.
Separate port data reviewed by Splash247 showed the facility handled around 950,000 TEUs in 2025 with projections to exceed 1 million TEUs this year. Ports Europe figures separately documented a 30 percent increase in total cargo traffic through Beirut in 2025 reaching 7.8 million tons compared with the previous year. These gains illustrate steady recovery in operations following earlier disruptions at the port.
The terminal currently operates with 16 quay cranes and forms a core part of Lebanon’s maritime infrastructure network. CMA CGM’s long-term involvement has included prior upgrades that improved efficiency and vessel turnaround times according to port records. Lebanese authorities have coordinated with international partners to align the latest phase with broader economic redevelopment goals.
Al-Dosari and Salam both participated in related port events earlier this year that marked the resumption of Lebanese exports to Saudi markets. The latest ceremony builds on those steps by focusing on long-term capacity expansion rather than immediate shipments. Officials at the port expect the completed project to reinforce Beirut’s position in regional supply chains once all phases conclude in 2028.
