Market update
A USD 100 million CMA CGM expansion and a fresh land approval point to more container capacity — and a committed global operator — at Lebanon's main Levant gateway.
Published · Midtrans Shipping And Services
Reviewed by Khaldoun Al-Khouli, General Manager
What more Beirut capacity means for Lebanon-routed cargo.
CMA CGM is expanding its Beirut container terminal (The New Arab).
Annual capacity rises to about 3M TEU, completion expected 2028.
Lebanon's cabinet approved a port-extension land parcel (23 Jul 2026).
More capacity under a major operator points to steadier reliability.
Expansion
CMA CGM has begun a USD 100 million expansion of its Beirut container terminal — a commitment by one of the world's largest carriers to Lebanon's main gateway. These figures are as reported on 11 September 2026.
Capacity
The project grows the terminal yard from about 45 to 75 hectares and lifts annual capacity from roughly 1.2-1.3 million to 3 million standard containers, with completion expected in 2028 over a 16-18 month build (as reported 11 September 2026).
Weighing Beirut for your next shipment? MIDTRANS will map it against your options.
Policy
Separately, Lebanon's Council of Ministers approved a Medawar-Port land parcel for a port extension on 23 July 2026. Together with the terminal expansion, it points to more container capacity at Lebanon's main Levant gateway.
What it means
For cargo moving through Lebanon, more Beirut capacity under a committed global operator points to steadier reliability over the coming years. Today, though, the working decisions are still schedule, customs clearance and inland delivery.
MIDTRANS
MIDTRANS SHIPPING AND SERVICES arranges Lebanon-routed shipments end to end — the sea leg, corridor routing and customs clearance — so a routing choice becomes a delivered shipment. Ask us to map Beirut against your alternatives.
FAQ
CMA CGM has begun a USD 100 million expansion of its Beirut container terminal, growing the yard from about 45 to 75 hectares and lifting annual capacity from roughly 1.2-1.3 million to 3 million standard containers, with completion expected in 2028 (as reported 11 September 2026).
Completion is expected in 2028, over a 16-18 month build, per figures reported on 11 September 2026. Capacity comes on stream gradually, so plan around today's schedules and confirm per sailing.
Not immediately — the extra capacity arrives over the coming years. Today the working decisions are still schedule, customs clearance and inland delivery, which MIDTRANS arranges end to end for Lebanon-routed cargo.
On 23 July 2026 Lebanon's Council of Ministers approved a Medawar-Port land parcel for a port extension. Taken together with the CMA CGM terminal expansion, it points to more container capacity at Lebanon's main Levant gateway.
The USD 100 million commitment comes from one of the world's largest container carriers, investing in its own Beirut terminal. More capacity under a committed global operator points to steadier reliability for Lebanon-routed cargo over the coming years.
The route, the cargo description and the timing. With those, the operations desk plans the Beirut sea leg, the corridor and customs clearance, and maps Beirut against the alternative gateways for that shipment.
Tell us your route and cargo — MIDTRANS will plan the Beirut sea leg, corridor and customs clearance around your schedule.
International Shipping & Customs Assistant
