Lebanon to launch tender to expand Beirut Port

Public Works and Transport Minister Ghazi Aridi said on Wednesday that the government would launch a tender on April 30 to expand Beirut Port at a cost of $120 million. Aridi has previously announced plans to expand Tripoli and Batroun ports. The expansion of Beirut Port should be completed in 30 months, according to the terms of the contract.
Aridi, speaking at a press conference along with the head of the port Hassan Koratiem, expressed hope that major international shipping companies would come to Beirut Port and establish offices there.
"We will open the tender to all companies in order to turn our port into one of the biggest ports in the region," he said.
The minister suggested that some officials had tried to block the expansion of Beirut Port under different pretexts.
According to the plan, the contractors will reclaim 140,000 square meters of land  to increase the port's size.
Once the project is completed, Beirut Port will be able to handle around 450,000 containers and provide services to all kinds of ships.
Details of the tender will be posted on the Beirut Port website to allow any companies interested in participating to download the terms of the contract for a $15,000 fee.