Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sits with a first grade student in a classroom on the first day of school in the northern Israeli town of Meona, Sunday. - Reuters

LONDON, (Reuters):

Israel is allowing certain ships to enter Lebanese ports, despite the formal continuation of an eight week naval blockade on its neighbour, shipping industry newspaper Lloyd's List report Monday.

According to a shipping agent contacted by the paper, a number of oil tankers carrying petroleum product and ships ferrying aid have been able to unload at Lebanese ports in the last week.

A spokesman for an agent affiliated to the Lloyd's of London insurance market in Beirut, G Sahyouni & Co, told Lloyd's List: "Ships come to 65 miles off Beirut and get permission from the Israeli navy. After that they can come in."

The agent told the newspaper that a merchant ship the Quality Spirit and an aid ship from Turkey carrying cargo on behalf of the World Food Programme were alongside in Beirut.

The agent also told the paper that a merchant ship carrying aid for the Red Cross arrived on August 30, discharged its cargo and departed on September 1.

A press officer at the Israeli embassy in London contacted by Lloyd's List said that even at the height of the blockade, some vessels were allowed into Beirut if they contained aid or had secured special permission through diplomatic channels.

Vessels on their way

Vessels due to arrive in the coming days include two 30,000 deadweight tonne oil tankers the Louise and Amor and a 37,000 tonne petroleum product the Charalbos A.

A Liquefied Petroleum Gas carrier is also scheduled to discharge in the next week or so.

In the story, Lloyd's reported that it appeared container ships were still being denied entry because Israel feared that they could hold arms bound for Hezbollah forces.

As many as 18,000 containers are thought to be dispersed in ports in Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and Malta.

But G Sahyouni & Co reportedly told the paper that it was now possible to trailer containers in from Syria.