Importers complain about delays at Beirut Port just days before Christmas

The food importers' syndicate has called on authorities to address delays in processing goods at the Beirut Port ahead of the holiday season.

According to its president, Hani Bohsali, these delays are linked to malfunctions in CAMA, the centralized computerized system that connects all port authorities, customs, terminal operators and shipping companies in order to issue invoices and other documents necessary for processing shipments.

In a statement published by the state-run National News Agency (NNA), the syndicate said "a large number of imported goods intended for the holiday period are affected," and that the ongoing problem threatens to cause losses for traders, in addition to extra costs associated with storage fees.

The Beirut Port, which recently underwent a leadership change, regularly experiences delays in customs clearance for goods.

The container terminal, managed since 2021 by CMA CGM, received and unloaded nearly 12,800 containers carried on three ships that docked simultaneously within 24 hours. This represents the highest volume ever recorded at the port, according to a statement from its management.