New scanners, rising traffic at Beirut Port

The Port of Beirut is steadily reclaiming its position as Lebanon’s primary maritime gateway, Despite the extensive damage caused by the August 2020 explosion.

Recent data shows a significant rise in cargo and container traffic, underscoring the port’s recovery and its sustained importance to national trade and regional shipping routes in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The weight of goods entering the Port of Beirut during the first ten months of 2025 increased by approximately 15 percent, reaching 5,328,704 tons compared to the same period in 2024. Container traffic rose even more sharply, with the number of containers handled increasing by around 18 percent to 756,457 by the end of October. These figures indicate growing commercial activity despite Lebanon’s ongoing economic and infrastructural challenges.

A key development expected to accelerate this momentum is the imminent launch of a new, state-of-the-art scanning system at the port. The scanner, imported by CMA CGM in cooperation with the Beirut Port Authority at a cost of roughly $10 million, is scheduled to become operational toward the start of the new year. Its primary objective is to combat smuggling and customs evasion while significantly reducing inspection times.

Marwan Al-Nafi, Chairman of the Board and Director of the Port of Beirut, described the scanners as a “quantum leap” in monitoring containers and goods. Capable of scanning approximately 100 containers per hour, the system will replace many manual inspections with radiation-based detection, enabling containers to move through the port more quickly and efficiently. Al-Nafi noted that this will minimize human error, improve transparency, and enhance security by allowing the rapid identification of prohibited or illegal materials.

The scanners will be directly connected to customs and the Lebanese army, enabling real-time image review and strengthening inter-agency coordination. According to Al-Nafi, these upgrades will make the Port of Beirut safer and more efficient, increasing its appeal to regional and international shipping companies. Faster processing times are also expected to boost both customs revenues and port income by encouraging higher traffic volumes.

Beyond technological upgrades, the port’s recovery forms part of a broader revitalization plan aimed at improving operational efficiency and service quality. This includes enhancing digital infrastructure, accelerating inspection procedures, offering incentives to shipping companies, and diversifying services through the development of logistics zones and value-added operations. The goal is to position the Port of Beirut as a faster, more competitive hub with positive spillover effects for the national economy.

Import procedures at the port follow standard international customs practices. After containers are unloaded, they are stored until importers or customs brokers submit the required documentation, including bills of lading, delivery orders, commercial invoices, packing lists, and customs declarations. Transactions are then routed electronically through a risk-based system that directs shipments either to manual inspection or expedited clearance.

Currently, Lebanese customs rely largely on traditional inspection methods and an outdated scanner. The new X-ray devices, however, will allow containers to be inspected immediately after unloading. Artificial intelligence technologies will be used to analyze images quickly and accurately, reducing delays and limiting opportunities for smuggling or unauthorized trade.

Export procedures are similarly standardized and conducted in accordance with Lebanese law. Exporters must submit customs declarations detailing the nature, value, and destination of goods, along with supporting documents such as commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and any additional permits required for specific products. These procedures are typically handled by licensed customs brokers, enabling shipments to leave the port promptly once clearance is granted.

While exports are not subject to customs duties, exporters may be required to pay port and operational fees. Customs authorities may also request inspections to ensure that container contents match documentation, a process expected to become faster and more reliable with the introduction of modern scanners.

As part of wider modernization efforts, Lebanese authorities have begun facilitating some import and export procedures through electronic platforms, reducing the need for in-person visits. With modern scanning systems now installed at the ports of Beirut and Tripoli, Lebanon is moving closer to internationally recognized standards for customs control, strengthening security, transparency, and efficiency across its maritime trade infrastructure.