Shipping Arabia, November 5, 2026 – The Port of Beirut has held separate meetings with a French parliamentary delegation and Ireland’s ambassador to Lebanon, focusing on port modernization, development projects and opportunities for international cooperation. The discussions addressed plans to strengthen the port’s capabilities, improve its services and exchange expertise with European partners.
Port of Beirut Chairman and General Manager Marwan Naffi received both delegations as part of discussions concerning the port’s current operations and future development priorities.
The meetings highlighted opportunities for cooperation with France and Ireland, including the exchange of expertise in port development and the relationship between ports and their surrounding urban environments.
French Parliamentary Delegation Discusses Port Development and Cooperation
A French parliamentary delegation visited the Port of Beirut and met with Marwan Naffi to review the port’s current situation, its development plans and proposed projects for the coming period.
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation with France and exchanging expertise to support modernization and development initiatives at the port.
Both sides examined opportunities to expand cooperation in line with the projects under consideration. These initiatives aim to enhance the Port of Beirut’s capabilities and support its role in facilitating trade and economic activity.
The French delegation included Cendrine Foucher-Chazé, Élisabeth de Maistre, Éric Liégeon, Dominique Potier, Éric Martineau and Aurélie Pirillo.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of broadening cooperation and benefiting from opportunities available with the French side during the coming period.
They also highlighted the port’s central role in supporting local and regional trade and economic activity. The discussions linked future cooperation to the development projects being considered for the Port of Beirut.
Irish Ambassador Invites Port of Beirut Chairman to Dublin Port
In a separate diplomatic engagement, Ireland’s Ambassador Aidan O’Hara visited the Port of Beirut, accompanied by Ireland’s Honorary Consul General Georges Siam.
The Irish delegation met with Marwan Naffi to discuss the port’s development and modernization efforts, as well as its role in supporting trade and economic activity in Lebanon and the wider region.
During the meeting, Ambassador O’Hara invited Naffi to visit Dublin Port and learn about its experience, particularly in integrating port activities with the surrounding city.
The invitation highlighted Dublin Port’s relationship with the urban environment as an area of potential interest for Beirut.
Given the Port of Beirut’s location within the capital’s urban landscape, the Dublin experience could provide an opportunity to examine approaches to port-city integration and how port activities interact with the surrounding metropolitan area.
The proposed visit would allow Naffi to explore Dublin Port’s experience in this field and consider its relevance to Beirut’s circumstances.
Port Modernization and Future Development Priorities
During the meeting with the Irish delegation, Naffi outlined the Port of Beirut’s current situation and the projects being pursued by its management to enhance and modernize port services.
He also discussed the port’s contribution to trade and economic activity in Lebanon and the wider region, alongside the next phase of its development.
The discussions with both European delegations placed emphasis on modernization, institutional cooperation and the exchange of international experience.
While the French meeting focused on development projects and opportunities for broader cooperation, the Irish engagement introduced a specific opportunity to examine port-city integration through Dublin Port’s experience.
Together, the meetings reflected the Port of Beirut’s efforts to explore international cooperation and draw on external expertise as it pursues plans to modernize its services, strengthen its capabilities and support its role in regional trade.
Source: Port of Beirut
