Antwerp: Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rasamny, led a high-level Lebanese delegation on an official visit to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen maritime cooperation, enhance institutional partnerships, and support the modernization of Lebanon's port sector.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the Lebanese delegation included General Mousbah Khalil, representing the Lebanese Customs Administration; Marwan Naffi, Chairman of the Board and Director General of the Port of Beirut; Eng. Iskandar Bandali, Chairman of the Board of the Port of Tripoli; Sarah Al Charif, Vice Chairperson of the Port of Tripoli; Simon Abdel Massih, Board Member of the Port of Tripoli; Lama Hariz, Karim Chbaklo, and Eng. Georges Rahal, Board Members of the Port of Beirut; Eng. Mustafa M. Hijazi, Mayor of Saida; along with senior officials and technical experts.
The visit commenced at MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET), one of the flagship container terminals operated by Terminal Investment Limited (TIL), where the delegation was welcomed by TIL Chief Executive Officer Ammar Kanaan, Deputy Chief Investment Officer Jose Bou Malhab, and members of the terminal's senior management. During the visit, the delegation received a comprehensive briefing on TIL's global operations, its international network of container terminals, and the advanced technologies and management practices employed to enhance operational efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness.
As part of the technical program, the delegation toured the customs inspection facilities and reviewed the advanced scanning systems and inspection procedures used to facilitate cargo movement while maintaining the highest security standards. Discussions focused on customs coordination mechanisms, container inspection processes, and best practices that improve operational efficiency and trade facilitation.
Minister Rasamny and the delegation later met with the leadership of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges at the Port House, the port authority's headquarters designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The delegation received a comprehensive presentation on the port's governance model, digital transformation, sustainability strategy, and the successful integration of the ports of Antwerp and Bruges into one of Europe's leading maritime and logistics hubs.
Discussions also focused on strengthening cooperation between the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Lebanon, particularly through the reactivation of the existing cooperation agreement with the Port of Tripoli. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding collaboration in the fields of technical expertise, capacity building, professional training, digital transformation, operational excellence, and knowledge exchange, while exploring new opportunities to further enhance trade and maritime connectivity between the two countries.
On the sidelines of the visit, Minister Rasamny held a bilateral meeting with the competent Belgian regional transport authorities to discuss opportunities for strengthening institutional cooperation and exchanging expertise in support of the modernization and sustainable development of Lebanon's transport and port infrastructure.
The visit concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to maintaining close coordination and advancing practical initiatives that will further strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation and contribute to the continued development and modernization of Lebanon's port sector.