BEIRUT: Lebanons main port unloaded nearly 9,000 containers within the past week, the ports manager said Wednesday as much of it stood in ruins from the deadly explosion on Aug. 4.

Bassem al-Qaisi, the newly-appointed director of Beirut Port, said in a televised news conference that 8,703 containers were unloaded at the port between Aug. 11-18.

He said that 21 freighters and six international ships docked during that period, and that around 51,000 tons of different goods were imported through the port. He specified that wheat and iron in particular were unloaded at the port during that period.

Qaisi thanked the Lebanese Army for cleaning up the eastern port area, which allowed quays 11, 12 and 13 to become fully operational once again, along with courtyard 3 in the port.

He said that the port had full capacity to welcome any ship.

The explosion of around 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely by Lebanese authorities at the port since 2014 leveled much of Beirut Port and severely damaged the surrounding areas.

Sidon, Tyre and Tripoli ports are stepping up to fill the gap in capacity left by the destruction of the countrys main food import hub.

Estimated losses following the blast are as high at $15 billion large parts of which will be uninsured.

The former head of Beirut Port Hasan Koraytem was arrested Tuesday for his role in the devastating blast.

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