US Ambassador Tours Tripoli Port: Plans Presented Reflect Promising Opportunities

United States Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa visited the Port of Tripoli, where he was received by Iskandar Bandeli, President of the Board of Directors of the Tripoli Port Investment Authority, Vice President Sarah Al-Sharif, board members Engineer Nour Alam al-Din and Maryam Eid, and General Manager Dr. Ahmad Tamer.

The visit began with a meeting at the port administration building, which included a screening of a documentary film highlighting its operational and logistical capabilities and key development projects, alongside the main axes of the master plan and the future vision for developing the port and enhancing its role in maritime trade and transport.

Following the meeting, Issa and his accompanying delegation, joined by the Board President, members, and the Port Director, moved to the container terminal, where they were welcomed by representatives from CMA CGM: Charles Assaf, Joseph Touq, and Rami Mortada.

During the tour, the US Ambassador inspected the operational processes and capabilities of the container terminal. He also visited the container scanning device (Scanner) and listened to a technical explanation regarding its mechanism and its role in enhancing the efficiency of inspection and control procedures and facilitating cargo movement.

Bandeli welcomed the US Ambassador, appreciating this visit and confirming that "the Port of Tripoli possesses strategic and operational assets that qualify it to be a pivotal regional logistics hub in the Eastern Mediterranean."

He presented the most prominent development projects and investment opportunities that the port is preparing and following up on, foremost among them being the expansion and modernization of the current container terminal, the construction and development of a new container terminal, strengthening connectivity with the railway network, and digital transformation. He pointed out "the importance of the port joining the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor Ports Club (IMEC Ports Club)." He also emphasized "the importance of enhancing cooperation with American companies and attracting investments that contribute to developing the port, raising its operational capabilities, and consolidating its status in regional and international trade movements."

For his part, Issa expressed his happiness at visiting the Port of Tripoli, praising "the enthusiasm of the Board of Directors and employees and their commitment, as well as the development projects and plans he learned about during the visit."

He noted that "the available potential and the plans presented reflect promising opportunities for the Port of Tripoli," pointing out that "the ports of Beirut and Tripoli possess great potential for development, and the efforts made and the positive spirit he felt among the workers are an important factor in achieving the desired progress."

He expressed optimism about the port's future prospects, considering that "ongoing projects and development plans offer Tripoli greater opportunities to showcase its economic potential and enhance its role in the region."

The visit concluded with an emphasis on the importance of continuing to develop port infrastructure and logistics services, and enhancing investment opportunities and partnerships, in a way that supports the Lebanese economy and consolidates the role of the Port of Tripoli in the maritime trade and transport system in the Eastern Mediterranean.