Following the bidding process, CMA Terminals, a fully-owned subsidiary of the CMA CGM Group, a provider of shipping and logistics, has been chosen to manage, operate and maintain the Port of Beirut’s container terminal for a 10-year period starting in March 2022.
The CMA CGM Group, which already has a strong presence in Lebanon, currently accounts for almost 55% of the container terminal’s volumes, since it has maintained its nine weekly calls and transshipment operations there.
Complete infrastructure upgrade
A $33 million investment will be made in the container terminal of Beirut Port, including $19 million over the first two years. The sum will be devoted to:
- A complete infrastructure upgrade: refurbishment, replacement, and acquisition of new port equipment.
- The construction of a new technical facility for maintenance and spare parts storage.
- A digital transformation of the terminal, by implementing the very latest management, optimisation, and interconnection systems between the operations and the various operators within the port’s community.
- Environmental performance improvements, through the purchase of greener and eco-friendly equipment.
Vital economic role
CMA CGM is pursuing its will of strengthening its presence at Lebanon’s ports
CMA CGM will use its own expertise and that of the previous operator’s teams in pursuit of its development goals for the terminal. The CMA CGM Group, which was founded in Lebanon 43 years ago, is deeply attached to the Port of Beirut, which plays a vital economic role for the capital and the country.
Following the full acquisition of the container terminal inside Tripoli port back in 2021, considered as the country’s second commercial port, CMA CGM is pursuing its will of strengthening its presence at Lebanon’s ports. The Group plays an active role in supporting and developing the country’s economy through its investments in shipping and ports, as well as in logistics via its subsidiary CEVA Logistics.
Creating job vacancies
The CMA CGM Group is continuously committed to playing an important role in rebuilding Lebanon’s economy following the series of crises that have shaken the country in the recent years. Various projects and investments have been completed alongside initiatives to support various economic sectors with the objective to create job vacancies and support the Lebanese population, especially the youth:
- Establishment in Beirut of CMA CGM’s Levant regional office.
- Opening of a Digital Hub and creation of a Shared Services Centre.
- Support to the Lebanese agriculture and its expansion in international markets.
- Industrial investments among others.
Establishing greater control
After creating almost 800 jobs over the past two years, the Group engages almost 1,000 employees in Lebanon
After creating almost 800 jobs over the past two years, the Group engages almost 1,000 employees in Lebanon. Furthermore, 400 new job opportunities will follow over the next 12 months.
Winning the contract to manage, operate and maintain the Port of Beirut’s container terminal is part of the CMA CGM Group’s strategy of developing its terminal business while supporting the growth and efficiency of its shipping lines, consolidating its end-to-end service offering, and establish greater control over the logistics chain so that it can offer its customers higher-quality, integrated, digital and more environmentally-friendly services in a context that requires a comprehensive approach to the supply chain.
Ambitious investment plan
The Group is currently invested in 52 port terminals across 33 countries via its subsidiaries CMA Terminals and Terminal Link (joint venture).
Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group, commented: “Faithful to our commitments to Lebanon, we will be launching shortly an ambitious investment plan that will transform Beirut port’s container terminal into a state-of-the-art facility that meets the best international standards. It will be at the service of the Lebanese people and will revitalise the economic exchanges between Lebanon and the rest of the world.”
