YEP MED project

CCIA-BML visit to the Port of Beirut & Beirut Terminal Container

In the framework of the EU funded project YEP MED[i] (Youth Employment in Ports of The Mediterranean), in which the Chamber of Beirut and Mount Lebanon is a key partner, a team of the Chamber namely Mr. Rabih Sabra Director General, Mrs. Sawsan Wazzan Jabri, Board member and Mrs. Hana Nehme responsible of the YEP MED project visited the premises of the key stakeholder of this project: Port of Beirut.

The visit started by meeting the General Manager of the Port Authority, Mr. Bassem Kaissi, whereas the discussions tackled the arenas of collaboration between the Port authority and the Chamber. Mr Kaissi reiterated the determination of the port authority to support the objectives of the project mainly the YEP MED port logistics trainings and apprenticeship programs targeting the Lebanese youth.

The delegation met as well with Mr. Ziad Kenaan, Chairman and Director General of Beirut Terminal Container (BCT) along with his team who presented the diversified operations and services, namely: safety, planning, operations, trainings, and R & D. The team explored as well the practical measures they implemented in response to the Beirut blast to ensure the Container Terminal resumed operational status and safely. Mr. Ziad Kenaan highlighted particularly the solidarity among employees and their full devotion towards BCT on that drastic moments. He pointed out as well the tools and strategies used by the top management and teams to cope efficiently with the post explosion stage.

The presentations were followed by a sightsee of the BCT facilities: the yard, cranes, vessels, maintenance, operations room and other services. In line with YEP MED project objectives, channels of recruitment of the needed profiles and related skills of the operational staff were showcased and discussed between the Chamber and BCT teams.

The Yep MED project is led by ESCOLA Europea-Intermodal Transport along with partners from med port authorities and maritime training institutes from Italy, Spain, France, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia and Lebanon. The Chamber of Beirut is a key partner in the  YEP MED project that aims to develop port-logistics training and vocational resources (TVET) adapted to sector needs to strengthen youth employability; increase and upgrade local employment opportunities through the creation of real dual-learning programs with job placements, strengthening the role of SME’s operating in the port ecosystems for future employment creation; and setting up collaborative national and transnational partnerships between port-logistics associations, operators, SMEs, training centers and VET providers, whilst introducing a PPP co-management process.