Published on 6/20/2026
Lebanon seeks to restart part of the railway network that has been suspended for decades through a project linking the port of Tripoli to the Lebanese-Syrian border, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s position within the regional transport and shipping networks and benefiting from the growing logistical connectivity projects in the region.
The German News Agency quoted the Director General of Lebanese Railways and Combined Transport, Ziad Chia, as saying that work is underway on a project linking the port of Tripoli to the Syrian border, with branches towards Qlayaat Airport and the Special Economic Zone, indicating that the project may witness its first launch during the year 2027 if conditions of stability and political decision are present.
Shea explained that the project is based on a cooperation protocol concluded about seven months ago between the General Railway Corporation, the Joint Transport Directorate, and the Tripoli Port Administration, sponsored by the Ministry of Public Works, with the aim of rehabilitating this vital track and linking it to the logistical infrastructure in the north of the country.
He added, according to the German News Agency, that the plan takes into account the regional connectivity projects currently being worked on, including railway routes that extend from the Gulf states through Jordan and Syria to Turkey and Europe, which may allow Lebanon to benefit from cross-border trade.
He pointed out that the US-Iranian war and the repercussions related to shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz prompted the intensification of discussions and studies related to railway connectivity projects in the Arab and Gulf region, in light of the increasing interest in diversifying transport and trade routes.
He also pointed out that the importance of the project was enhanced with plans to develop Rene Mouawad Airport in Qlayaat to serve passengers and freight, which opens the way for greater integration between ports, airports and land transport networks.
Shea confirmed that the railway line between Tripoli and the Syrian border previously existed, and that its restart aims to support shipping and transit activities and link Lebanon more broadly to the Arab economic system.
Although no official estimates have been issued regarding the cost of the project or its economic returns, the reactivation of the railway infrastructure comes at a time when countries in the region are searching for alternative and more efficient transport corridors to support regional trade and supply chains.
