Beirut’s port and traffic authorities are joining forces to untangle the gridlock choking the city’s streets.
On Thursday, a joint meeting at the Port of Beirut, called by Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny and Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmad al-Hajjar, brought together top officials, port managers, customs leaders, shipping agents and truck owners to find both immediate and long-term fixes.
Every day, hundreds of trucks roll in and out of the port, carrying goods vital to Lebanon’s economy. But during peak hours, that traffic often spills onto the city’s main roads, slowing movement across entire districts. Officials say the problem is worsened by outdated cargo handling schedules, mismatched working hours and poor distribution of truck traffic among facilities.
Ahmad Tamer, the Director-General of Land and Maritime Transport, said the talks were part of a “comprehensive plan” to ease pressure on the port and surrounding streets. “This requires joint action from all parties to keep goods moving while making life easier for citizens,” he stressed.
Colonel Fouad Ramadan, the head of Beirut’s traffic brigade, pledged that the Internal Security Forces are ready to “take the necessary field measures” as soon as a plan is set. The challenge, he added, is finding a balance between safety, security and the smooth flow of port operations.
For now, participants agreed to hold regular follow-up meetings until a lasting solution is reached, aiming to keep the port running smoothly without bringing surrounding streets to a standstill.
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