A broader ministerial meeting was held this Thursday morning at the Port of Beirut, initiated by Minister of Public Works and Transport in the outgoing government, Ali Hamiya. The meeting discussed the storage process for general goods with relevant administrations and entities, and the average number of days required to complete the inspection and delivery for each specific entity.
During the meeting, Hamiya emphasized that "food safety is a red line for all of us, and this does not conflict with accelerating procedures according to plans prepared by all relevant administrations at the port in the event of any emergency."
After the meeting, Hamiya stated: "Marine ports are a vital element for the Lebanese state, and consequently, based on the surrounding conditions in the country in the short and long term, we, along with the attending ministers, thought it best to hold our meeting at the Port of Beirut with all concerned parties from various administrations and entities to discuss a fundamental issue related to the period of storage and inspection of containers arriving at the marine ports, as well as to review the procedures prepared by all administrations at the marine ports in the event of any emergency or aggression against Lebanon."
He added: "Regarding the duration of storage and inspection of goods, we took a sample from the Port of Beirut during the period from July 15 to October 31 of the past year, which showed that after the request for inspection of 18,000 containers, it was noted that based on the mentioned sample and study, the first seven days from the date of unloading containers to the station, which occurs in less than 24 hours, pass without inquiries from the concerned parties, meaning that the contents of the containers remain unasked about for 7 days after unloading in the designated area. This is known to the state administrations and also to the customs. This information and dates are available at the Port of Beirut administration along with the container operating company."
He continued: "After seven days, and following the request, it was found that about 92% of the total containers requested for inspection had been transferred from the station to the inspection yard, where all the concerned ministries are located, within less than 24 hours. The Port of Beirut has returned to its state as it was in 2019 regarding the loading and unloading processes taking place there."
Hamiya said: "In terms of food security, the Ministries of Economy and Trade, Agriculture, and the Research Institute affiliated with the Ministry of Industry stated that the inspection and testing process begins after the seventh day mentioned previously, which showed after discussions with the ministers that it scientifically takes several specific days at each ministry or designated laboratory. Therefore, everything raised about the customs' retention or delay of goods at the Port of Beirut is incorrect, as the issue of tests and inspections is scientifically linked to the specific days we mentioned."
He added: "Based on what we mentioned regarding the seven days, the delay of goods is due to the lack of inquiries from their owners throughout those days. Storage at the Port of Beirut is free for nine days; the port is not a storage center for goods to remain unasked about for that entire period. All goods owners must promptly inquire about them from the first day they arrive at the port. We, in cooperation with all ministries, are providing the necessary facilitation to accomplish this."
He continued: "In the event of any aggression against Lebanon, each ministry has its authorities in a certain sector, and we have agreed with the ministers that food, economic, and industrial security in the country is essential. The imported product is in the process of consumption, and therefore, these ministries and their laboratories accredited by the Lebanese state hold the responsibility for food and economic security for the Lebanese people. In the event of any urgent situation in Lebanon, the ministers - within their ministries - have drawn up exceptional emergency plans concerning the necessary facilitation in the inspection process occurring at the marine ports and the airport."
He concluded: "Our ports operate around the clock without interruption, and we are always present in our ministries and continue to work in all vital facilities even under exceptional conditions."
