UN/LOCODE: LBKYE📍 Lebanon
Port of Tripoli (UN/LOCODE LBKYE)
❖ Coordinates: 34.4381°N, 35.8308°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Beirut
❖ UN/LOCODE: LBKYE
## About the Port
The Port of Tripoli (UN/LOCODE LBKYE) is Lebanon’s second‑largest maritime facility, situated on the Mediterranean coast of the North region at 34.4380941° N, 35.8308371° E. Operating in the Asia/Beirut timezone, the port occupies roughly 1.2 km of shoreline and comprises three main quays capable of accommodating vessels up to 250 m in length overall (LOA). It handles a mix of containerized cargo, bulk commodities and passenger traffic, serving as the primary gateway for imports into Northern Lebanon. For official UN/LOCODE details, see the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe database UN/LOCODE LBKYE↗.
## History
The Port of Tripoli (UN/LOCODE LBKYE) has been a maritime hub since antiquity, with Phoenician and Roman settlements using its natural harbor for Mediterranean trade. Under Ottoman rule (1516‑1918) the port remained modest, supporting local fishing and small‑scale cargo. After World I, the French Mandate modernised the facility, building a breakwater and extending the quay for larger merchant vessels.
During the 1950s‑60s, post‑war economic growth spurred new concrete quays, a grain terminal and an oil pier, enabling bulk and petroleum handling. The 1975‑1990 civil war caused a >70 % drop in cargo volumes and extensive damage. Reconstruction in the early 2000s, financed by donors and the Ministry of Transport, restored gantry cranes and the container yard.
The 2010s saw a public‑private partnership introduce automated container equipment and deepen the navigation channel to 12 m, reviving competitiveness and making Tripoli a viable alternative to Beirut for northern Lebanon and Syrian border cargo. For a concise historical overview, see the Lebanese Ministry of Transport heritage page.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
The Port of Tripoli comprises three principal quays—Quay 1 (800 m), Quay 2 (650 m) and Quay 3 (400 m)—providing 12 deep‑water berths capable of handling vessels up to 250 m LOA. The concrete‑armored quay walls maintain a dredged channel with a design depth of 12 m, allowing Panamax‑class container ships to dock. Pilotage is supplied by locally trained pilots, and a modern VTS monitors traffic via radar and AIS.
Cargo handling is performed by eight mobile harbor cranes (25–45 t) complemented by two 100‑ton gantry cranes for container ships. Bulk cargo such as grain is moved with pneumatic conveyors and a 30 m³ screw conveyor, while the oil terminal includes four heated tanks (12,000 m³ total). All equipment meets IMO safety standards.
The 25‑ha container yard offers 8,000 TEU with open‑stack and covered storage options, and a 5‑ha bulk area provides silos for cement, fertilizers and grain, equipped with automated stackers for efficient retrieval. A 300‑m rail siding links to the national network for limited intermodal transfers. Security is maintained by a 24‑hour patrol, CCTV coverage and a customs control centre. A fuel farm supplies marine diesel and gasoline, and a passenger terminal processes roughly 150,000 travelers each year. For detailed technical specifications, consult the official port authority website.
## Economic Importance
The port contributes roughly 5‑6 % of Lebanon’s GDP and handles about 1.2 million metric tons of cargo annually, with direct employment for 800 workers and many more in associated logistics, trucking and warehousing. It serves as the main gateway for imports into Northern Lebanon, delivering construction materials, agricultural products and consumer goods, while exporting olive oil, citrus, textiles and re‑exported containers to Syria, Turkey, the GCC and Europe. Annual trade value exceeds USD 200 million, and the port’s proximity to the Syrian border shortens transit times for goods destined for Aleppo and border markets.
The port also generates significant foreign‑exchange earnings, contributing an estimated USD 120 million annually to Lebanon’s balance of payments, and supports a multiplier effect that sustains around 2,500 indirect jobs across the national economy. Exports from the port account for roughly 30 % of Lebanon’s total maritime trade, reinforcing the country’s trade balance and supporting foreign‑exchange reserves.
For comprehensive economic statistics, refer to the World Bank’s Lebanon Economic Update World Bank Lebanon↗.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
The Port of Tripoli sits on key East‑Mediterranean shipping lanes, with regular feeder services linking to Cyprus, Turkey (Istanbul, Mersin), Egypt (Alexandria) and Greece (Piraeus). Bulk cargoes — grain, fertilizer, petroleum products — move primarily to Europe, the Gulf and North Africa, while container traffic is dominated by imports from Italy, Germany and the UAE and exports to Syria, Iraq and Jordan. Seasonal peaks occur during the olive harvest (Oct‑Dec) and construction season (Mar‑May), when outbound volumes rise.
The port also handles project cargo such as heavy machinery and prefabricated building components for regional infrastructure programmes. In addition, the facility serves as a conduit for humanitarian aid, handling relief supplies and medical equipment for UN agencies and NGOs operating in conflict‑affected regions of Syria and northern Lebanon. These routes collectively reinforce Tripoli’s position as a vital logistics hub in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the 12‑meter draft limit permits the berthing of Panamax vessels and facilitates the growing flow of containerized cargo from Asia, which now represents over 40 % of the port’s inbound TEU volume.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
LBKYE
Country
Lebanon
Province / Region
North
Latitude
34.438094
Longitude
35.830837
Timezone
Asia/Beirut
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Tripoli?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Tripoli is LBKYE.
Where is Port of Tripoli located?
The Port of Tripoli is located in Lebanon, North. Its coordinates are 34.4381°N, 35.8308°E.
What time zone is Port of Tripoli in?
Port of Tripoli operates in the Asia/Beirut time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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