Port of Beirut
Port of Beirut is a government-owned Mediterranean port facility in Lebanon, established in 1887, serving as a major maritime gateway between Europe, Asia, and Africa. It handles approximately 1 million TEU and 6 million tons of cargo annually for international shipping lines, importers, and exporters, operating a container terminal, free zone, and cargo inspection infrastructure.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1887
- HeadquartersMedawar, Beirut Governorate, Lebanon
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Port of Beirut does
Port of Beirut is a government-owned port facility located in the Quarantine District of Beirut, Lebanon, established in 1887 (139 years of operation as of 2026). It operates as a major maritime gateway positioned at the geographic intersection of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and is recognized as one of the top 10 ports on the Mediterranean Sea. The port serves as a primary gateway to the Middle East and a regional re-export center, handling approximately 6 million tons of cargo, 1 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), and 3,000 ships annually across a 200,000 square meter facility.
The port's core operations are built around a container terminal managed through the CAMA (Container Automatic Management) system, complemented by a dedicated free trade zone, cargo handling services, and advanced X-ray scanner equipment for cargo inspection and security compliance. Its technology stack includes a container tracking portal (CMA Beirut Terminal) integrated with the CAMA system, ISPS-certified international maritime security infrastructure, and the UNCTAD Shipping Connectivity Index framework. The port serves international shipping lines and agencies — including MSC, CMA CGM, Maersk, and approximately 40 other shipping agencies — along with importers, exporters, and freight forwarders.
The business model is based on port tariffs, cargo handling fees, free zone leases, and ancillary services, with pricing/tariff information managed through official channels but not publicly disclosed. Following the significant damage from the August 4, 2020 explosion, the port has been undergoing a recovery and modernization phase under new leadership (Chairman/Director General Marwan Al-Nafi), with recent capital investments in scanner equipment, a new truck fleet, and the re-establishment of trade corridors with Saudi Arabia in June 2026.
Port of Beirut firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Port of Beirut
- Legal name
- Port of Beirut
- Website
- https://portdebeyrouth.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1887
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Port of Beirut is a government-owned Mediterranean port facility in Lebanon, established in 1887, serving as a major maritime gateway between Europe, Asia, and Africa. It handles approximately 1 million TEU and 6 million tons of cargo annually for international shipping lines, importers, and exporters, operating a container terminal, free zone, and cargo inspection infrastructure.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Port of Beirut industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maritime Port Services
- NAICS
- Port and Harbor Operations (48831), Marine Cargo Handling (48832)
- SIC
- Water Transportation (4400)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Gateway Container Terminals (Import/Export) (TLAHAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Maritime & Port Authorities (Public Ports, Harbors, Ferries Terminals) (BPAIALAF), Port Equipment Operations (Crane Operators, RTG/RMG, Straddle Carrier Operations) (TLAHALAE)
Keywords
Where Port of Beirut is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Medawar, Beirut Governorate
- HQ country
- Lebanon
- HQ region
- Middle East
Markets served
Port of Beirut business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Port of Beirut product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Port of Beirut operates a government-owned maritime port facility providing container terminal services, cargo handling, vessel berthing, free zone operations, and customs-related services for international shipping lines, importers, and exporters. The port serves as a transshipment hub between Europe, Asia, and Africa, handling approximately 6 million tons of cargo, 1 million TEU containers, and 3,000 vessels annually across its 200,000 square meter facility.
Product overview
Port of Beirut operates as a unified port facility serving as a gateway to the Middle East and a key transshipment hub connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. The offering consists of the core container terminal operations managed through the CAMA system, container tracking services, a dedicated free zone for international trade, and modern scanner systems for cargo inspection. The port handles approximately 6 million tons of cargo, 1 million TEU containers, and 3,000 ships annually across its 200,000 square meter facility.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Port of Beirut Main Terminal The primary cargo handling and maritime gateway facility, handling commercial vessels crossing between Europe, Asia, and Africa with approximately 6 million tons/year, 1 million TEU/year, and 3,000 ships/year. Designed for international shipping lines, importers, and exporters.
- Container Terminal (CAMA) Computerized system for container terminal management and tracking, linked through the CAMA portal accessible at cama.portdebeyrouth.com for operational management. Used by shipping lines and cargo owners for container handling.
- Container Tracking Service Real-time shipment tracking service available through the CMA Beirut Terminal website, allowing customers to monitor container movements. For shipping lines, importers, and exporters needing visibility on container status.
- Free Zone Designated free trade area within the port facility offering special economic conditions for businesses engaged in international trade, free zone storage, and manufacturing. For international trade businesses and free zone tenants.
- Cargo Scanner Inspection Services Advanced scanning equipment deployed at the port to enhance cargo inspection efficiency and ensure compliance with export/import regulations. For shipping lines, customs authorities, and cargo owners requiring inspection and regulatory compliance.
Companies that use Port of Beirut
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Port of Beirut technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Port of Beirut partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Port of Beirut competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- APM Terminals: Maersk's port-operating arm running dozens of container terminals worldwide, including several in the Mediterranean. Relevant as both a customer (Maersk ships call Beirut) and as a benchmark for terminal operating efficiency.
- DP World: Global port operator with terminals across the Mediterranean, Middle East, and beyond. Comparable to Beirut as a container terminal operator at scale, with potential as a strategic concession partner or competitor depending on concession outcomes.
- CMA Terminals (CMA CGM): Terminal-operating arm of CMA CGM, an anchor customer of Port of Beirut and operator of multiple Mediterranean container terminals. Comparable as both a peer operator and as a counterparty for potential concession or partnership arrangements.
Direct peers
- Jeddah Islamic Port: Saudi Arabia's principal Red Sea container terminal and the primary destination for the recently resumed Lebanese exports. Comparable as a regional container gateway, and directly relevant because of the renewed Beirut–Jeddah trade lane.
- Damietta Port: Container terminal on Egypt's Mediterranean coast handling multiple million TEU annually. Directly comparable as a regional container gateway serving East-West trade, competing for similar shipping-line deployments as Port of Beirut.
- Tanger Med Port (TMSA): Morocco's flagship Mediterranean container hub handling 8M+ TEU. It is the most relevant direct competitor to Port of Beirut for East-West transshipment and gateway traffic, competing head-to-head for mainline carrier calls on the same Mediterranean trade lanes.
- Port Said (Egypt): Major Egyptian container gateway at the southern entry of the Suez Canal. Comparable to Beirut as a container gateway/feeder port serving Mediterranean-to-Middle East flows, with overlapping carrier customers and similar transshipment economics.
- Port of Alexandria: Historic Mediterranean container and general-cargo terminal in Egypt. Comparable to Beirut as a multi-purpose regional gateway serving Middle East and Mediterranean trade flows with similar customer profiles.
- Port of Piraeus: Greece's largest port and a leading Mediterranean gateway, operated with significant Chinese (COSCO) involvement. Directly comparable to Beirut as a gateway and transshipment hub for Europe-Asia maritime trade, with similar shipping-line economics.
- Port of Mersin: Turkey's primary Mediterranean container terminal serving the Middle East, Caucasus, and Mediterranean trade. Comparable scale and customer base to Port of Beirut, with overlapping feeder and gateway functions.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Port of Beirut social profiles
Digital presencePort of Beirut financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Port of Beirut leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Port of Beirut funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Port of Beirut M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Port of Beirut
What does Port of Beirut do?
Port of Beirut operates a government-owned maritime port facility providing container terminal services, cargo handling, vessel berthing, free zone operations, and customs-related services for international shipping lines, importers, and exporters. The port serves as a transshipment hub between Europe, Asia, and Africa, handling approximately 6 million tons of cargo, 1 million TEU containers, and 3,000 vessels annually across its 200,000 square meter facility.
Is Port of Beirut a public or private company?
Port of Beirut is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Port of Beirut founded?
Port of Beirut was founded in 1887. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Port of Beirut based?
Port of Beirut is headquartered in Medawar, Beirut Governorate, Lebanon, in the Middle East region.
Who are Port of Beirut's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are APM Terminals, DP World and CMA Terminals (CMA CGM). Direct peers are Jeddah Islamic Port, Damietta Port, Tanger Med Port (TMSA), Port Said (Egypt), Port of Alexandria, Port of Piraeus and Port of Mersin.
Does Port of Beirut have an API?
No public API is recorded for Port of Beirut.
What industry is Port of Beirut in?
Port of Beirut's product category is Maritime Port Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAHAAAB, Gateway Container Terminals (Import/Export), with a secondary code of BPAIALAF, Maritime & Port Authorities (Public Ports, Harbors, Ferries Terminals). Its NAICS code is 48831 and its SIC code is 4400.