New member interview – Port of Tripoli

The port of Tripoli (OEPT “Office d’Exploitation du Port de Tripoli” in French) is located in the north of Lebanon, just 30km from the border with Syria. As the second busiest port in the country, it plays a crucial role in the supply chain and in the economic prosperity. The port is receiving several types of traffic, from containers to dry bulk, agricultural products, etc. It has different areas for tertiary activities, with a free zone and a future open market. The Port is managed by a Board of Directors composed of 5 members elected for 3 years. Since 2021, the OEPT wants to expand its international partnership, this is why for example it has initiated a collaboration with Port of Dunkirk. We wanted to interview Mr. Abdelrahman Hajar to understand the reasons why OEPT has recently joined the AIVP. “In a few words” AIVP – Could you briefly introduce your port to the members of our international network? Tripoli Port (OEPT) is one of the most important ports of the Mediterranean. It occupies a strategic location that connects the Asian East with the European West. It also enjoys a great potential to ensure land communication and transportation through transit with Arab and Gulf countries. Goods coming from Europe or America can smoothly pass through the port of Tripoli to Syria, Jordan, Iraq and the Arab states of the Gulf without any mountainous obstacle. On top of that, the close proximity of Tripoli port to the Suez Canal (only 300 nautical miles) accord to it another doubtlessly considerable advantage. The port total surface area is 3.000.000 m2, water 1.500.000 m2 & land area 1.500.000 m2. Port of Tripoli location on map Yet, among the recent expansion achievements are a 600 m long, 15.2 m deep quay, and a rear zone of 650.000 m2. The anticipated plan is to extend the length of the quay to 1.200 m and to deepen…