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Explosion at the Port of Beirut halts port operations

Explosion at the Port of Beirut halts port operations. The disruption ran from 2020-08-04 (4 August 2020) to 2020-08-10 (10 August 2020), 7 days, affecting Beirut. Beirut averaged 1.0 calls per day during the event window against an expected 3.8 (-73.6%). Beirut averaged 0.4 calls per day during the event window against an expected 1.9 (-1.4).

World Freight Monitor permanent record. https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2020/explosion-port-of-beirut-2020/. Record last updated 2026-09-16.

Key facts

Started
2020-08-04 (4 August 2020)
Ended
2020-08-10 (10 August 2020)
Status
ended
Type
Fire
Severity
3 Significant
Scope
port
Chokepoints
None
Ports
Beirut
Lanes
None
Countries
Lebanon
Confidence
medium: The date of the explosion and the port's reduced capacity are confirmed by a United Nations situation report, while the 2020-08-10 container terminal restart rests on carrier statements reported by two outlets rather than on a port authority statement.
First reported
2020-08-12 (12 August 2020)
Casualties (official)
178 deaths, 6000 injuries, as of 2020-08-13 [s3]
  • Severity basis: Port level disruption lasting more than seven days; the United Nations reported the port working at 30 per cent capacity with two quays and five of 16 cranes nine days after the explosion.

What happened

An explosion at the Port of Beirut on 2020-08-04 (4 August 2020) destroyed much of the port and stopped operations at Lebanon's main maritime gateway. The blast followed the ignition of ammonium nitrate stored in a port warehouse. Container lines diverted vessels to Tripoli while the site was cleared. The container terminal, which sits away from the blast centre, restarted on 2020-08-10 (10 August 2020), and two carriers said their services to Beirut had resumed. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported on 2020-08-13 that two quays had reopened, that five of the port's 16 cranes were working and that the port was functioning at 30 per cent of capacity. A Lebanese judicial investigation into the explosion has been suspended repeatedly and no trial has taken place.

Measured effect

Port calls, Beirut

Baseline (expected)
3.8 calls per day
Observed
1.0 calls per day
Change
-2.8 (-73.6%)
Standardised score
-1.4
Event window
2020-08-04 to 2020-08-10 (7 days)
Baseline window
2020-06-02 to 2020-07-27 (56 valid days)
Method
wfm-effect-1.0
Computed
2026-09-19 (19 September 2026), data revision 1:777440a75e3b
Port calls, BeirutPort calls, Beirut, 2020-05-26 (26 May 2020) to 2020-09-21 (21 September 2020): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2020-06-21 to 9 calls per day on 2020-05-27, with a mean of 3.8 calls per day. The latest value, for 2020-09-21, was 7 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2020-08-04 to 2020-08-10.02468102020-05-262020-07-242020-09-21
Port calls, Beirut, 2020-05-26 (26 May 2020) to 2020-09-21 (21 September 2020): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2020-06-21 to 9 calls per day on 2020-05-27, with a mean of 3.8 calls per day. The latest value, for 2020-09-21, was 7 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2020-08-04 to 2020-08-10.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-11-10 (10 November 2026).

Port calls, Beirut (calls per day).
Datecalls per day
2020-05-263
2020-05-279
2020-05-282
2020-05-295
2020-05-307
2020-05-315
2020-06-013
2020-06-022
2020-06-034
2020-06-044
2020-06-053
2020-06-061
2020-06-071
2020-06-088
2020-06-092
2020-06-107
2020-06-117
2020-06-124
2020-06-134
2020-06-141
2020-06-158
2020-06-164
2020-06-175
2020-06-183
2020-06-193
2020-06-208
2020-06-210
2020-06-224
2020-06-233
2020-06-244
2020-06-258
2020-06-268
2020-06-275
2020-06-282
2020-06-297
2020-06-305
2020-07-014
2020-07-021
2020-07-037
2020-07-043
2020-07-053
2020-07-064
2020-07-076
2020-07-082
2020-07-093
2020-07-107
2020-07-115
2020-07-120
2020-07-139
2020-07-144
2020-07-154
2020-07-161
2020-07-174
2020-07-184
2020-07-191
2020-07-204
2020-07-213
2020-07-224
2020-07-239
2020-07-244
2020-07-252
2020-07-263
2020-07-276
2020-07-284
2020-07-297
2020-07-303
2020-07-314
2020-08-013
2020-08-021
2020-08-036
2020-08-043
2020-08-050
2020-08-061
2020-08-070
2020-08-081
2020-08-090
2020-08-102
2020-08-111
2020-08-124
2020-08-132
2020-08-144
2020-08-151
2020-08-162
2020-08-175
2020-08-182
2020-08-194
2020-08-204
2020-08-214
2020-08-225
2020-08-233
2020-08-242
2020-08-250
2020-08-262
2020-08-276
2020-08-283
2020-08-294
2020-08-304
2020-08-314
2020-09-013
2020-09-026
2020-09-031
2020-09-045
2020-09-054
2020-09-062
2020-09-075
2020-09-084
2020-09-091
2020-09-105
2020-09-111
2020-09-124
2020-09-132
2020-09-144
2020-09-155
2020-09-164
2020-09-178
2020-09-184
2020-09-194
2020-09-205
2020-09-217

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

Container ship port calls, Beirut

Baseline (expected)
1.9 calls per day
Observed
0.4 calls per day
Change
-1.4 (percent omitted, baseline too small)
Standardised score
-1.0
Event window
2020-08-04 to 2020-08-10 (7 days)
Baseline window
2020-06-02 to 2020-07-27 (56 valid days)
Method
wfm-effect-1.0
Computed
2026-09-19 (19 September 2026), data revision 1:7cb602b84bad
Container ship port calls, BeirutContainer ship port calls, Beirut, 2020-05-26 (26 May 2020) to 2020-09-21 (21 September 2020): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2020-06-02 to 7 calls per day on 2020-05-27, with a mean of 1.8 calls per day. The latest value, for 2020-09-21, was 1 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2020-08-04 to 2020-08-10.024682020-05-262020-07-242020-09-21
Container ship port calls, Beirut, 2020-05-26 (26 May 2020) to 2020-09-21 (21 September 2020): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2020-06-02 to 7 calls per day on 2020-05-27, with a mean of 1.8 calls per day. The latest value, for 2020-09-21, was 1 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2020-08-04 to 2020-08-10.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-11-10 (10 November 2026).

Container ship port calls, Beirut (calls per day).
Datecalls per day
2020-05-262
2020-05-277
2020-05-281
2020-05-294
2020-05-304
2020-05-313
2020-06-011
2020-06-020
2020-06-031
2020-06-040
2020-06-052
2020-06-061
2020-06-071
2020-06-084
2020-06-090
2020-06-103
2020-06-112
2020-06-121
2020-06-133
2020-06-141
2020-06-155
2020-06-161
2020-06-174
2020-06-181
2020-06-192
2020-06-203
2020-06-210
2020-06-222
2020-06-233
2020-06-242
2020-06-255
2020-06-263
2020-06-272
2020-06-281
2020-06-292
2020-06-303
2020-07-012
2020-07-020
2020-07-032
2020-07-041
2020-07-051
2020-07-063
2020-07-074
2020-07-082
2020-07-092
2020-07-102
2020-07-113
2020-07-120
2020-07-132
2020-07-141
2020-07-152
2020-07-161
2020-07-173
2020-07-183
2020-07-191
2020-07-202
2020-07-212
2020-07-221
2020-07-235
2020-07-241
2020-07-252
2020-07-261
2020-07-273
2020-07-281
2020-07-293
2020-07-301
2020-07-313
2020-08-012
2020-08-020
2020-08-034
2020-08-041
2020-08-050
2020-08-060
2020-08-070
2020-08-080
2020-08-090
2020-08-102
2020-08-110
2020-08-121
2020-08-132
2020-08-142
2020-08-151
2020-08-160
2020-08-172
2020-08-180
2020-08-192
2020-08-203
2020-08-212
2020-08-223
2020-08-232
2020-08-241
2020-08-250
2020-08-261
2020-08-273
2020-08-282
2020-08-292
2020-08-304
2020-08-312
2020-09-011
2020-09-022
2020-09-030
2020-09-042
2020-09-054
2020-09-061
2020-09-072
2020-09-081
2020-09-091
2020-09-103
2020-09-111
2020-09-122
2020-09-131
2020-09-140
2020-09-152
2020-09-163
2020-09-173
2020-09-182
2020-09-192
2020-09-202
2020-09-211

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

Replay

Replay: Port calls, BeirutPort calls, Beirut, 2020-06-05 (5 June 2020) to 2020-09-03 (3 September 2020): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2020-06-21 to 9 calls per day on 2020-07-13. The shaded band marks the event window, 2020-08-04 to 2020-08-10.02468102020-06-052020-09-03
Port calls, Beirut, 2020-06-05 (5 June 2020) to 2020-09-03 (3 September 2020): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2020-06-21 to 9 calls per day on 2020-07-13. The shaded band marks the event window, 2020-08-04 to 2020-08-10.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-11-10 (10 November 2026).

Port calls, Beirut (calls per day), daily values shown in the replay.
Datecalls per day
2020-06-053
2020-06-061
2020-06-071
2020-06-088
2020-06-092
2020-06-107
2020-06-117
2020-06-124
2020-06-134
2020-06-141
2020-06-158
2020-06-164
2020-06-175
2020-06-183
2020-06-193
2020-06-208
2020-06-210
2020-06-224
2020-06-233
2020-06-244
2020-06-258
2020-06-268
2020-06-275
2020-06-282
2020-06-297
2020-06-305
2020-07-014
2020-07-021
2020-07-037
2020-07-043
2020-07-053
2020-07-064
2020-07-076
2020-07-082
2020-07-093
2020-07-107
2020-07-115
2020-07-120
2020-07-139
2020-07-144
2020-07-154
2020-07-161
2020-07-174
2020-07-184
2020-07-191
2020-07-204
2020-07-213
2020-07-224
2020-07-239
2020-07-244
2020-07-252
2020-07-263
2020-07-276
2020-07-284
2020-07-297
2020-07-303
2020-07-314
2020-08-013
2020-08-021
2020-08-036
2020-08-043
2020-08-050
2020-08-061
2020-08-070
2020-08-081
2020-08-090
2020-08-102
2020-08-111
2020-08-124
2020-08-132
2020-08-144
2020-08-151
2020-08-162
2020-08-175
2020-08-182
2020-08-194
2020-08-204
2020-08-214
2020-08-225
2020-08-233
2020-08-242
2020-08-250
2020-08-262
2020-08-276
2020-08-283
2020-08-294
2020-08-304
2020-08-314
2020-09-013
2020-09-026
2020-09-031

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

Timeline

  1. An explosion at the Port of Beirut destroys much of the port. Reporting attributes the blast to ammonium nitrate stored in a port warehouse. [s2] [s3]
  2. The container terminal restarts. One carrier reports discharging its first container vessel that day and another says the terminal suffered limited damage and has resumed working. [s1]
  3. Carriers resume bookings for Beirut after diverting vessels to Tripoli, and the port handles cargo again for merchants. [s1] [s2]
  4. The United Nations reports two quays open, five of 16 cranes working, two more cranes due back by 2020-08-14, and the port at 30 per cent of capacity. [s3]
  5. Questioning in the judicial investigation is suspended again after legal complaints seeking the removal of the investigating judge. [s4]
  6. Six years after the explosion no trial has been held. The investigating judge sealed the case file in March 2026 and referred it to the Court of Cassation. [s5]

Cause

Reporting attributes the explosion to the ignition of ammonium nitrate that had been stored at the port for years. The Lebanese judicial investigation has been suspended repeatedly by legal challenges brought by officials it sought to question, and no court has ruled on responsibility. Attributed by: Lebanese judicial investigation at the Court of Cassation. [s2] [s4] [s5]

The cause is under investigation.

Resolution

2020-08-10 (10 August 2020): Container operations restarted on 2020-08-10 once storage areas were cleared, and carriers resumed calls at Beirut over the following days. The port was still working at reduced capacity on 2020-08-13, with two quays and five of 16 cranes in service. [s1] [s3]

Corrections

No corrections to this record as of 2026-09-16 (16 September 2026).

Sources

  1. [s1] gCaptain, Container Lines Resume Calls to Beirut as Terminal Restarts Operations, published 2020-08-12 (12 August 2020), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy. (press)
  2. [s2] Al Jazeera, Beirut port resumes partial operations a week after explosion, published 2020-08-12 (12 August 2020), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy. (press)
  3. [s3] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Lebanon: Beirut Port Explosions Situation Report No. 4 (As of 13 August 2020) [EN/AR], published 2020-08-13 (13 August 2020), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy. (official)
  4. [s4] Al Jazeera, Beirut blast probe suspended again as judge issues arrest warrant, published 2021-10-12 (12 October 2021), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy. (press)
  5. [s5] Al Jazeera, Six years after Lebanon's Beirut port blast, families fight for truth, published 2026-08-04 (4 August 2026), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy. (press)

Cite this record

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Plain text

World Freight Monitor. "Explosion at the Port of Beirut halts port operations." Last updated 2026-09-16 (16 September 2026). https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2020/explosion-port-of-beirut-2020/

APA

World Freight Monitor. (2026). Explosion at the Port of Beirut halts port operations. World Freight Monitor. https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2020/explosion-port-of-beirut-2020/

BibTeX

@misc{wfm_explosion_port_of_beirut_2020,
  author = {{World Freight Monitor}},
  title = {Explosion at the Port of Beirut halts port operations},
  year = {2026},
  note = {Last updated 2026-09-16},
  url = {https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2020/explosion-port-of-beirut-2020/}
}