Public works minister visits Tripoli Port, pledges to curb customs evasion

Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rassamni conducted an inspection visit to Tripoli's port in northern Lebanon on Friday to review its facilities. These include the ship maintenance docks, warehouses, container terminal, passenger hall and the Free Zone, according to a statement issued by the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

Rassamni warned that he would pay “special attention to all infrastructure under his Ministry’s jurisdiction” in this region, and stressed the need to combat widespread customs evasion at the port. “We must tackle this phenomenon in order to boost state revenues and ensure employees receive their rightful dues,” he said.

To address the issue, the minister announced the upcoming installation of inspection scanners at both the Beirut and Tripoli ports by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which already operates the Tripoli container terminal.

The contract for this new project was signed during a visit between Tripoli’s Port Director, Ahmad Tamer, and the container terminal’s CEO, Charley Derzi. “Every container entering or leaving the country will be subject to strict surveillance. This will significantly reduce customs evasion. These scanners are expected to be operational within three months,” Rassamni stated.

In his speech, the minister also outlined four other ongoing projects at Tripoli’s port: the construction of grain silos, the establishment of a fuel and gasoline terminal, the development and expansion of container terminal infrastructure to increase capacity and the installation of floating docks for ship maintenance.

According to the minister, Tripoli's port has demonstrated resilience over the past four years, despite Lebanon’s successive crises. He therefore sees the need to boost investment in the port while ensuring balanced and integrated development of all interconnected infrastructure, including access roads and the Qleiaat airport — a project pending legislative amendments and parliamentary approval.

Finally, Rassamni announced that a new road linking Tripoli to the North and the Syrian border — requiring millions of dollars in funding — is currently under study.