CMA CGM Invests USD 100 Million to Expand Beirut Port Container Terminal

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 11, the CMA CGM Group and the Beirut Port management and operating authority launched the container terminal expansion project, with a total investment of USD 100 million. A groundbreaking ceremony has been held for the project, which is planned for completion within 16–18 months. The terminal yard area will be expanded from the current approximately 45 hectares to approximately 75–80 hectares, and annual container handling capacity will increase from 1.2 million TEU to approximately 2.8 million–3 million TEU.

The expansion project will add a dedicated berth for feeder container vessels and be equipped with 2 mobile harbor cranes. The project will also expand the container storage area, build an automated gate system, a new customs inspection area, and 2 sets of X-ray container scanning equipment, and add vehicle parking and staging areas.

Internal port traffic facilities will also be upgraded in parallel, including the construction of a heavy-load transport bridge and the reorganization of traffic flows for heavy vehicles, container trailers, and external trucks at the terminal. The newly added handling equipment will use a new generation of hybrid and energy-saving equipment for container yard handling and terminal operations.

The existing container terminal at Beirut Port has an annual design handling capacity of approximately 1.2 million TEU and is currently approaching its existing handling limit. After the expansion is completed, the new capacity will be approximately 1.6 million–1.8 million TEU per year, and the terminal's overall handling capacity will increase to more than twice the current level.

The CMA CGM Group will be responsible for the financing, planning, engineering procurement supervision, and project implementation of this expansion project. Its subsidiary CMA Terminals has been responsible for the management, operation, and maintenance of the Beirut Port container terminal since March 2022 under a 10-year contract, with the operating rights obtained through international public tender.

The project construction scope includes container yard expansion, new berth construction, handling equipment configuration, customs inspection facilities, port roads and heavy-load traffic facilities, automated gates, and digital terminal operation facilities. According to the current schedule, the main works are expected to be completed before 2028.