by Sebastien Goulard
On 21 July 2026, the ports of Marseille-FOS and Beirut renewed their partnership; the development of the IMEEC is expected to create a new dynamic in maritime exchanges between France and Lebanon.
Enhanced Cooperation
Following the explosion at the Port of Beirut in August 2020, Marseille committed to supporting the reconstruction of the Lebanese port after the signing of an initial agreement in 2022. This new agreement, signed in the presence of the French Minister of Transport Philippe Tabarot and his Lebanese counterpart Fayez Rasamny, aims to implement operational actions, strengthen technical cooperation, and develop new commercial flows between the Eastern and Western Mediterranean.
Within this Franco-Lebanese cooperation, the CMA CGM Group, the world’s third-largest maritime transport company, is expected to play a major role due to its significant interests in the Port of Marseille and in the Lebanese ports of Beirut and Tripoli.
A Renewal in Lebanon
Despite Lebanon’s current instability, the Port of Beirut could position itself as a major hub between the Middle East and Europe. It is expected to benefit from Syria’s recent opening, as the country seeks to better integrate its economy with the rest of the world and could rely on the Port of Beirut, located only 120 km from its capital Damascus, to increase its commercial exchanges.
During this meeting, the French port officially invited the Lebanese port to join the IMEEC Ports Club, launched last May. The IMEEC project is seen as an opportunity for Beirut, which could become a new hub between Europe and the Middle East. To achieve this, its port must modernize. But the country also needs renewed political stability to attract investors and develop its infrastructure in transport, energy, and the financial sector.
