Rassamni from the Port of Antwerp: Lebanon prepares for a new phase in the maritime transport sector

Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rassamni led a high-level Lebanese delegation on an official visit to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium, one of Europe’s leading maritime and logistics hubs, with the aim of broadening prospects for cooperation and benefiting from global expertise in developing Lebanon’s ports.

The delegation included representatives from the Lebanese Customs Administration, the managements of the ports of Beirut and Tripoli, as well as officials and experts in the maritime transport sector. The visit program began with a tour of the MSC PSA European Terminal, one of the largest container terminals in Europe, to review the latest technologies used in managing logistics operations, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing the competitiveness of ports.

The delegation also reviewed the advanced customs inspection system, modern scanning systems, and mechanisms for facilitating the movement of goods, as part of discussions on ways to transfer successful experiences to Lebanese ports in a manner that raises performance levels and strengthens the security and safety of commercial operations.

In a key stop during the visit, Minister Rassamni held a meeting with the management of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges at the port authority headquarters, where the port’s experience in modern governance, digital transformation, and sustainability was reviewed, in addition to the model that led to the merger of the ports of Antwerp and Bruges and transformed them into one of the largest maritime hubs on the European continent.

The two sides discussed mechanisms for expanding cooperation between Lebanon and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, with a focus on reactivating the cooperation agreement with the Port of Tripoli, strengthening training programs, building capacities, exchanging technical expertise, and developing digital solutions in line with global standards in port management and operations.

On the sidelines of the visit, Minister Rassamni also held talks with Belgian officials concerned with the transport sector, addressing opportunities for institutional cooperation and the exchange of expertise in the development of port infrastructure and transport systems, in support of Lebanon’s efforts to launch sustainable modernization projects.