The future of Beirut's new 225-million-dollar container terminal is in doubt following news that Dubai Ports Authority (DPA), the contracted operator of the facility, was negotiating to sell the equipment it purchased for the terminal but never installed, reported the Daily Star newspaper.
Elie Zakhour, chairman of Beirut's International Chamber of Shipping, said the ministry of transport and DPA are "trying to reach an agreement by selling equipment to the Port of Beirut in order to install it at the new terminal."
The implication of the equipment sale is that DPA will pull out of the 20-year deal it signed with the Port of Beirut in 1998, under which DPA would equip and manage the facility and revenues by handling containers, said the paper.
A senior political source confirmed that the ministry and DPA were in separation talks for "an amicable divorce with the least political damage."
A pullout by DPA would further delay the introduction of a modern container facility that would ease the import process.
Zakhour said that his association welcomed the sell-off if it "helps solve the conflict" between both parties and reduces the time it takes to get the terminal running, the paper added.
"If they reach an agreement with DPA then we understand the Port of Beirut will make a new international tender for the management of the terminal," said Zakhour – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
