Lebanon

Shipping Arabia, November 8, 2026 – Lebanon’s Port of Tripoli has held strategic discussions with an Indian diplomatic and customs official on regional connectivity, trade facilitation, and potential cooperation under the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The meeting also highlighted the port’s plans to become a regional logistics hub through infrastructure development, multimodal connectivity, and digital transformation.

The discussions took place during a visit by Shri B.G. Krishnan, Consul for Economic, Trade, Commerce and Education at the Consulate General of India in Dubai, UAE. Krishnan also serves as the Nodal Officer for Indian Customs for the Middle East and Africa.

During the meeting, Port of Tripoli Chairman Eng. Iskandar Bandali presented the port’s strategic vision. The plan aims to transform Tripoli from a conventional cargo-handling facility into a regional logistics hub capable of supporting broader trade connectivity.

Port of Tripoli Outlines Four Strategic Development Priorities

The Port of Tripoli’s development vision focuses on four strategic pillars: multimodal connectivity, integration with the Tripoli Special Economic Zone, governance and digital transformation, and infrastructure and capacity expansion.

These priorities form the foundation of the port’s proposed transition toward a more integrated logistics model, combining physical infrastructure with improved trade facilitation and digital systems.

Among the key projects highlighted was the proposed revival of the Tripoli–Syrian border railway, which forms part of the port’s multimodal connectivity ambitions.

The presentation also outlined plans to expand container and general cargo terminals, alongside ongoing efforts to develop a Port Community System (PCS). The proposed digital platform forms part of the port’s broader strategy to modernize operations and strengthen coordination across the logistics chain.

Integration with the Tripoli Special Economic Zone represents another central element of the development strategy, linking port activities with the wider economic and logistics framework.

IMEC Connectivity and Digital Trade Facilitation

Discussions placed particular emphasis on the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor as both a physical transport corridor and a framework for digital trade integration.

The meeting highlighted the importance of customs modernization and interoperable digital systems in facilitating cargo movements across borders. These capabilities were identified as important components of efforts to strengthen Lebanon’s participation in emerging regional and international trade corridors.

Specific areas discussed included the development of a National Single Window, the exchange of advance cargo information, and coordinated risk assessment procedures.

The discussions also addressed the need for digital interoperability between customs administrations and other trade-related institutions. Such coordination was presented as an important element of more efficient cross-border trade facilitation.

The Port of Tripoli’s interest in IMEC reflects its broader development vision, which combines improvements to transport infrastructure with customs modernization and institutional coordination.

India Shares Customs Digitalization Experience

During the meeting, Krishnan shared insights from India’s experience in customs digitalization and its integration efforts with the United Arab Emirates.

The discussion included India’s MAITRI initiative, which was presented as part of the exchange of experience relating to customs systems and international trade integration.

Both sides also explored potential avenues for technical cooperation, knowledge exchange, and specialized training for Lebanese customs officials.

These discussions focused on opportunities to strengthen technical capabilities and support modernization efforts through cooperation and the sharing of relevant expertise.

Institutional Cooperation and Regional Trade Integration

The meeting reaffirmed the importance of coordination between port authorities, customs administrations, and international partners in strengthening Lebanon’s connections with regional and global trade networks.

Participants emphasized that positioning the Port of Tripoli within future trade corridors requires more than investment in physical infrastructure. Digital integration, transport connectivity, and coordinated institutional reform were also identified as essential elements.

The discussions brought together the port’s infrastructure and capacity expansion ambitions with broader priorities involving customs modernization and international cooperation.

Through its proposed railway revival, terminal expansion plans, Port Community System development, and engagement on IMEC connectivity, the Port of Tripoli outlined its vision for a larger role in regional logistics and cross-border trade.

Source: Port of Tripoli

Shipping Arabia, September 27, 2026 – The Port of Aqaba is taking on a larger role in regional trade as disruptions to traditional shipping routes encourage companies and importers to seek alternative supply chains, with transit container traffic through Jordan recording particularly strong growth toward Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

Aqaba is increasingly moving beyond its traditional role as Jordan’s maritime gateway for the domestic market. Its location on the Red Sea is allowing cargo arriving by sea to continue overland to other markets in the region, providing an alternative for some shipments that previously reached Iraq through Gulf ports.

Transit activity has been the main beneficiary of this shift. During the first half of 2026, transit traffic through Aqaba increased by 155% compared with the same period in 2025.

More than 60,000 TEUs of transit containers passed through Aqaba Container Terminal during the six-month period, compared with approximately 23,000 TEUs a year earlier.

Iraq-bound containers drive transit growth

The strongest change has emerged in cargo moving through Jordan toward Iraq.

Around 37,000 containers reached Iraq through Jordan in July 2026, compared with approximately 3,600 containers in July 2025. That represented an increase of nearly 900% year on year.

The shift comes as regional conflict and tensions affect established trade routes and encourage cargo owners and companies to consider alternatives that avoid areas facing greater maritime risk, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.

Some cargo that previously entered Iraq through ports in the Gulf is now being redirected to Aqaba before continuing overland into the Iraqi market.

Aqaba also provides a route for cargo moving toward Syria and Lebanon, strengthening its position as a sea-to-land logistics gateway linking maritime services with markets across the Levant.

By the period from the beginning of 2026 through July, transit container traffic through Aqaba had recorded growth of around 180%, indicating that the changing regional trade environment is having a significant impact on cargo flows through the Jordanian port.

Growth extends beyond container traffic

The increase in activity is not limited to containers.

Cargo and dry bulk traffic, including grains as well as food and industrial inputs, rose by more than 40% in July, with volumes reaching approximately 666,000 tonnes.

Activity at Aqaba’s liquefied natural gas facilities also increased. Around 370,000 tonnes were received from the beginning of the year through July, representing growth of nearly 12%.

Meanwhile, volumes handled through oil and gas facilities exceeded 2 million tonnes during the first half of 2026, an increase of more than 40%.

The source attributed the increase to higher discharge volumes of crude oil and petroleum products, alongside stronger maritime movements involving fuel cargoes.

These figures show that changes in regional trade flows are affecting several parts of Aqaba’s port system rather than a single cargo segment.

Aqaba gains a wider regional logistics role

The changes are contributing to a partial redrawing of regional supply chains.

For Iraq in particular, the Aqaba route offers an alternative to cargo movements traditionally dependent on Gulf ports. Vessels can discharge cargo in southern Jordan before shipments continue by road toward the Iraqi market.

Aqaba’s role is therefore increasingly linked not only to its status as Jordan’s sole seaport but also to its ability to connect maritime cargo flows with inland markets across the region.

For shipping companies and importers, continued uncertainty around traditional maritime routes has increased the importance of route diversification and reduced reliance on corridors considered more exposed to disruption.

The rise in transit volumes through Aqaba illustrates how those decisions are translating into actual changes in cargo routing.

As risks and costs affect established trade corridors, ports capable of providing alternative connections between maritime and overland transport are gaining greater significance. In Aqaba’s case, the recent growth in transit and cargo activity is expanding the port’s role from a national maritime gateway toward a more prominent position within regional trade networks.

Source: Al Jazeera

Shipping Arabia, September 21, 2026 – Lebanon is advancing plans to transform the Port of Tripoli from a local cargo gateway into a regional logistics hub, with around 20 development projects planned over the next three years and new agreements targeting rail connectivity and the Tripoli Special Economic Zone.

The plans were highlighted during the “Tripoli: Strategic Partnerships, an Investment and Sustainable Development Future” conference, hosted by the Port of Tripoli in partnership with the Special Economic Zone and the Tripoli–Homs railway rehabilitation project.

Held at the Grand Serail under the patronage and in the presence of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, the event brought together ministers, ambassadors and economic stakeholders to discuss investment and the development of an integrated logistics system connecting maritime, land and air transport.

Following tendering and evaluation procedures, two contracts were signed. The first covers the review and updating of the Tripoli–Aboudieh railway line study, while the second will develop the licensing system and legal and regulatory framework for the Tripoli Special Economic Zone.

Several agreements and strategic partnership memoranda were also signed.

Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny said the objective is to transform Tripoli Port “from a local station for handling goods into a regional logistics hub on the Eastern Mediterranean.”

The wider roadmap includes around 20 projects over the next three years, covering infrastructure development, digitalisation, port capacity expansion and stronger domestic and regional connectivity.

Rail connectivity forms an important part of the strategy, with efforts to develop links associated with Tripoli intended to strengthen the port’s hinterland connections and support a broader multimodal logistics network.

Rasamny also called on investors to “put Tripoli on your radar,” stressing that the initiatives being presented represent tangible projects and investment opportunities.

Prime Minister Salam linked the development of Tripoli with Lebanon’s wider economic prospects, stating: “When Tripoli grows, Lebanon grows with it.”

The latest agreements represent a move from planning toward implementation as Lebanon seeks to strengthen Tripoli’s position in Eastern Mediterranean trade, logistics and investment.

Source: Port of Tripoli