Milestones
Orient Shipping & Trading Co. S.A.R.L started its activities in 1953 to represent various international shipping companies in Lebanon.
In 1960 , ORIENT CONTRACTING COMPANY was established with branch offices in Lebanon, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Jordan where it executed several prominent construction projects. In Qatar and the UAE, our sponsors and partners were the local governments at that period. The legacy of these construction companies are still alive in Qatar and the UAE but with different identities / names and other shareholders. Both are considered to be one of the major players in the construction industry in the Gulf since 1975.
In 1964, we bought our first refrigerated ship M/V ZEUS and established ZEUS SHIPPING COMPANY S.A.R.L. We were the first Lebanese company to own refrigerated vessels. Later we bought and managed other refrigerated vessels such as M/V HABIB Z, M/V GEORGE Z, M/V ORIENT REEFER, M/V MAYA REEFER, M/V DOMA T , M/V NOVI T , M/V MESTO, M/V NORTH SKY, M/V KARIM H, M/V SWEET ORANGE, M/V SWEET BANANA M/V BLUE ICE, M/V WINDFALL , M/V MAMAYA , M/V BEIRUT TRADER , M/V ASSAF and another 10 similar owned and managed reefer ships. The company owned and operated other General and Dry cargo ships such as M/V AMAL , M/V ORIENT and another 5 similar owned and managed ships.
During the shipping boom of the early 1970s, Orient shifted its emphasis to the shipping sector , from then onwards Ship Owning and Ship Management were to become Orient’s main activities.
In 1971, Orient introduced the Japanese “K” Line – KAWASAKI KISEN KAISHA LTD business and vessels to the Mediterranean and Black Seas and opened branch offices in Greece, Romania and Egypt to expand its activities. Orient also established ZEUS SHIPPING COMPANY in Romania to represent Orient’s owned and operated vessels and handle also “K” Line’s tankers from 1974 until 1984.ORIENT SHIPPING AND CONTRACTING (GREECE) S.A. was established to handle the group’s shipping and contracting activities in the area (Med-Sea, Black Sea, and North Africa). It acted as representatives for ‘K” Line and other principals in the Mediterranean area.
In 1976, ORIENT SHIPPING AGENCIES LTD was established in Greece to act as “K” Line’s and other principals agents and representatives in Greece. Also ORIENT SHIPPING AGENCIES LTD (EGYPT) was established with offices in Port Said and Suez to act as protecting agents and representatives for our group’s owned and operated ships at all Egyptian ports.
From 1971 until 1999 , our Group successfully handled more than 5000 ships calls in Piraeus , Beirut and major north African ports and discharged, loaded and transshipped more than 10 million Passenger cars, SUV, Trucks, Buses and Heavy lifts.
Between 1985 and 2005, our Group’s owned ships loaded more than 5 million tons of refrigerated cargo from Southern Europe, North Africa and Egypt to the Middle East and South Africa.
In 1986 , the founder’s Sons & Daughters became shareholders in the group , managed the various companies , and pledged to continue the legacy and the good will name and reputation within its worldwide principals and associates.
From 1986 until today, many other companies in various sectors were established under the management of the family.