Beirut Port to connect to Syrian border by rail

Lebanon may soon see the return of rail, this time as a strategic freight corridor. The Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) and the Beirut Port Authority have signed cooperation agreements to launch feasibility and technical studies for a proposed railway linking Beirut Port to Masnaa on the Lebanese-Syrian border.

The planned line would primarily serve cargo transport, with the long-term possibility of extending into Syria, positioning Lebanon as a more connected trade hub in the region.

If implemented, the railway would mark one of the country’s most ambitious infrastructure projects in decades.

Easing pressure on the roads

A significant portion of freight arriving at Beirut Port is destined for the Bekaa Valley and onward to border crossings. Currently, that cargo moves almost entirely by truck contributing to road congestion, higher transport costs, and infrastructure strain.

The proposed railway aims to streamline that flow. By shifting freight transport from highways to rail, authorities expect improved efficiency, reduced traffic on major routes, and potentially lower logistical costs for importers and exporters. Rail systems are typically more fuel-efficient for bulk cargo and can handle larger volumes in a single trip.

A dry port in the Bekaa

Complementing the railway plan is the proposal to establish a dry port in the Bekaa Valley, an inland cargo terminal designed to receive goods transported by train from Beirut.

The facility would handle storage, customs processing, and redistribution, effectively extending Beirut Port’s operational reach inland. Instead of concentrating activity solely along the coast, the dry port would decentralize logistics, bringing trade infrastructure closer to key agricultural and industrial zones.

Regional connectivity in focus

Beyond domestic logistics, the railway carries broader regional implications. A functioning freight corridor to Masnaa could enhance Lebanon’s role as a transit point between the Mediterranean and inland markets, particularly if future coordination with Syria materializes.

Stronger connectivity could facilitate cross-border trade flows and reposition Beirut Port as a competitive gateway in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Still, the project remains in its early stages. Detailed engineering assessments, financing mechanisms, and multi-stakeholder coordination will determine its viability and timeline.

For now, the signing of the agreements signals intent, a step toward reviving rail infrastructure and rethinking how goods move across Lebanon.