You operate a fleet of 20 vehicles for an international humanitarian NGO and an embassy mission in Beirut. The fleet is mixed — Toyota Land Cruisers, Mitsubishi Pajero, Hyundai Tucson, Mercedes Sprinter for shuttle. The Lebanese Ministry of Interior handles registration; the Ministry of Economy handles consumer-related matters; the Banque du Liban regulates the now-fragmented financial system.

Post-2019, Lebanon's fleet operating environment changed substantively:

  • Most operations are USD physical-cash based
  • Fuel scarcity is recurring; queuing and rationing common
  • Banking transfers are difficult
  • Spare parts imported from UAE, Turkey, Italy at variable USD prices
  • Driver salaries combine USD cash and lira

NGO and embassy fleet selection criteria

International contractors (UNHCR, ICRC, IOM, embassy missions) select fleet operators on:

  • Documented operating practices
  • Dollarized invoicing in USD with detailed breakdowns
  • Vehicle pre-deployment inspection
  • Driver credentials and security clearance
  • Chain-of-custody documentation
  • Insurance with NGO-cover
  • Reference letters from prior NGO/embassy clients

Insurance market post-2019

Insurance market regulated by the Insurance Control Commission. Premiums denominated in USD for major vehicles. Comprehensive cover with NGO/embassy-specific coverage available from a few insurers. Carta Verde for cross-border missions to Syria/Jordan.

Fuel scarcity management

Lebanon's fuel market is volatile. Fleet managers handle:

  • Pre-purchased fuel allocations from authorised stations
  • Vehicle tank-management — keep tanks full when fuel is available
  • Backup arrangements with diesel generators if needed
  • Driver routing to minimise unnecessary fuel use

Chain-of-custody documentation

For NGO and embassy contracts:

  • Pre-deployment inspection log
  • Driver assignment
  • Departure time and route
  • GPS tracking
  • Mid-mission check-ins
  • Arrival and post-deployment inspection
  • Any incidents documented

Pre-engagement checklist

  1. Mécanique vehicle inspection current
  2. Comprehensive insurance USD-denominated
  3. Driver credentials and security clearance
  4. Chain-of-custody documentation system
  5. Fuel allocation and pre-purchase
  6. GPS tracking on all vehicles
  7. Reference letters from prior contracts
  8. Bank account in USD if available

Official sources

Why we care

Mekavo is fleet management software for operators in Lebanon. If you run a fleet for NGO, embassy, commercial or transport operations in Beirut, Tripoli, Sidon, Tyre or Zahle — try Mekavo free. Multi-currency invoicing, chain-of-custody documentation, driver credentials, fuel allocation tracking, GPS-integrated maintenance.