MARITIME ACTIVITY

Q- HOW IMPORTANT IS MARITIME BUSINESS IN LEBANON ?

A- For Lebanon, the maritime business is quite important.

The Port of Beirut alone, through its Customs income and other facilities, such as Free Zones and Tourism,yields more than 50% of the treasury revenues.

For Investors, Lebanon has a geographic position which places the Port of Beirut at the mid-point of 3 Continents :

Europe, Asia and Africa.

The other Ports are Tripoli, Saida (Sidon) and Sour (Tyre).

While the two latter ones are, presently, not of great business importance, the Port of Tripoli could gain much value if normal transit trade is resumed with Iraq, because it provides much easier access to Iraq than the Port of Beirut.

Q- WHAT PORT FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE IN LEBANON ?

A- There are several Ports in Lebanon :

6 The Port of Beirut, which up till the war in Lebanon, had grown to become an important international trading station.

After the war, the Lebanese Government aware of the Port’s importance, started planning and executing the rehabilitation process aiming at : the transit and trans-shipment business as well as at the infrastructure namely: dredging, improving the docks, the quays, the container stations, cranes etc.

7 The Port of Tripoli in the North, where are registered Lebanese ships from the ports located between Ras El Barbara and the Lebanese Northern frontier. Here as well, the Government, conscious of the importance that this Port may reach, started after the war rehabilitation such as: dredging, removal of sunken ships, constructions of quays and breakwaters etc.

8 The port of Tyre, where are registered ships from the ports located between the Palestinian frontier and the Litani. In the case of this port as well, there have been studies for improvement and the renovation of the main dock has been completed.

9 The port of Sidon, where are registered ships from the ports located between the Litani river and the Damour river. Renovation and rebuilding studies have been made for this port as well.

10 Finally, there are over 20 Fishing ports, which the Government is planning to develop and expand.