List of ports in Libya including Oil and Gas Facilities

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Drone Shot of a Cargo Ship on Port
Credit: pexels.com, Drone Shot of a Cargo Ship on Port

Libya is home to a diverse range of ports, each with its own unique characteristics and purposes.

The country's largest port is the Marsa el Brega Port, which is a major oil terminal.

Located on the Gulf of Sidra, Marsa el Brega Port plays a crucial role in Libya's oil exports.

The port is equipped with advanced oil facilities, including storage tanks and loading terminals.

Libyan Ports

Libyan Ports are strategically located along the Mediterranean coast, with the Port of Ras el Hilal situated 48 kilometers west of Derna and 240 kilometers east of Benghazi.

The Port of Ras el Hilal has a maximum length of 33 meters for registered vessels, and is a summer load line zone. It's also limited by a draft of 6.1 meters.

The Port of Tripoli, on the other hand, is a major seaport handling over 1 million TEU and a variety of products, including bulk freight, containerized goods, chemicals, and oil. It features a fishing harbor and yacht club, and is sheltered by two breakwaters of 2000 meters and 700 meters.

Here are some key statistics for the two ports:

Sirte

Credit: youtube.com, Libyan forces claim port in Islamic State militant stronghold of Sirte

Sirte is a significant port city in Libya, playing a vital role in the country's maritime trade. It's located near the Gulf of Sidra, approximately 250 km from the capital Tripoli.

The port of Marsa El Brega, also known as Qar Ahmed port, is one of the busiest ports in Libya and is situated near Sirte. It's a major petrochemical port, connected with Tripoli and neighboring regions.

The port of Marsa El Brega handles exports of oil, petrochemical goods, and general cargo, with over 300 ships docking at the port every year. It can accommodate vessels measuring more than 200 m with a maximum draft of 10 m.

The port is divided into the western harbor and the eastern harbor, with the western harbor having a dry cargo handling berth spanning 150 m. The cargo pier can accommodate ships weighing 50,000 DWT and is adjacent to the ro-ro handling facility.

On a similar theme: Salerno Harbor Station

Credit: youtube.com, Libyan forces 'seize control' of Sirte port amid reports of deadly shelling in Benghazi

Here are some key statistics about the port of Marsa El Brega:

  • Maximum vessel size recorded: 278 meters
  • Vessels up to 220m length and 10m draft can be accommodated
  • Primary commodities include oil, crude oil, general cargo, and petrochemical products
  • Sirte Oil Company runs the Marsa El Brega Port

The port of Sirte itself is known for tuna fishing and sponges, making it an important hub for these industries. It also serves as a jumping-off point for numerous Saharan caravan routes.

Operating

The Port of Tripoli is the principal seaport of Tripoli, Libya's capital, and one of the Mediterranean's oldest ports. It handles over 1 million TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) and a variety of products, including bulk freight, containerized goods, chemicals, and oil.

The port features a fishing harbor and yacht club, and is sheltered by two breakwaters: one measuring 2000 meters and the other 700 meters. This allows for a high volume of cargo to be handled, with more than 600 large vessels regularly calling the port per year.

Here's a list of operating ports in Libya:

The maximum vessel size allowed to enter the port is up to 190 meters in length, with a maximum draught of 10.7 meters.

Tobruq

Credit: youtube.com, Libya attack: Turkish cargo ship Tuna-1 shelled and bombed near the port of Tobruk - TomoNews

Tobruq is a significant port in eastern Libya, situated close to the Egypt border. The Port of Tobruq was established in 1986.

The port is a major hub for general cargo and crude oil, with over 120 ships passing through it every year. Its deep harbor is naturally sheltered and powerful.

The port has eleven anchorages, each with a capacity to handle six vessels. This allows for efficient and safe docking and unloading of cargo.

Tobruq is equipped with three cargo handling cranes, two with a capacity of 30-40 tons and one with a capacity of 50-80 tons.

Zliten

Zliten is a major port city in Libya, located on the Mediterranean coast. It's situated 160 kilometers west of Tripoli.

Zliten is Libya's fourth-largest city, making it a significant urban center in the region. The city is easily accessible by car or other vehicles.

The Port of Zliten is strategically located 20 kilometers east of Misrata, providing a convenient transportation hub for the surrounding areas.

Explore further: Port of Redwood City

Oil and Gas Facilities

Credit: youtube.com, Libya's Biggest Oil Port Could Reopen Within a Month

Libya's oil and gas facilities are a crucial part of its economy, with the country being the 15th largest oil producer in the world.

The oil and gas facilities in Libya are concentrated in the eastern and central regions, particularly around the port city of Tobruk.

The Ras Lanuf oil terminal, located near the port city of Tobruk, is one of the largest oil terminals in Libya and has a storage capacity of 12 million barrels.

Bouri Oil Field

The Bouri Oil Field is a significant player in the Mediterranean region. Located 50 nautical miles off the Libyan coast, it's a vital part of the NC-41 block.

This oil field is renowned for being the Mediterranean's most productive oilfield. Its impressive production capabilities make it a crucial component of the region's energy landscape.

The port itself is anchored by the SPM structure, specifically the FSU "Slough." This infrastructure plays a critical role in supporting the oil field's operations.

Credit: youtube.com, BOURI OILFIELD LIBYA #oilandgas

The water depth at the oil terminal ranges from 23.2 meters to over 23.2 meters, which is surprisingly deep. This depth requirement necessitates vessels of a certain size to safely navigate the area.

Maximum vessel size at the Bouri Oil Field is up to 500 feet in length, with a deadweight tonnage of approximately 150,000 tons.

Ras Lanuf

Ras Lanuf is a significant oil export terminal in Africa, located in the Sidra's Gulf. It's situated at the northern coast of Africa, with coordinates 30.499358611858 and 18.581834774983.

The port is known for handling a large number of ships, with over 480 vessels handled annually. This is a combined figure for the port regions.

The port is home to two offshore oil export terminals, which comprise two CBM (Compressed Buoyant Module) and two SPM (Single Point Mooring) terminals. These terminals play a crucial role in the oil export process.

Maximum dimensions of vessels handled at Ras Lanuf are approximately 255,000dwt (deadweight tons). This indicates the port's capacity to handle large vessels.

Credit: youtube.com, Schork Says Libya's Ras Lanuf Closure Has Been Priced In

The port is currently in the midst of a civil war, making it a high-risk area. Extreme caution is advised when dealing with this port.

Here is a summary of the port's key features:

  • Two CBM and two SPM offshore oil export terminals
  • Maximum vessel dimensions: approximately 255,000dwt
  • Annual traffic: over 480 ships handled
  • Port location: Sidra's Gulf, northern coast of Africa
  • Port status: currently in the midst of a civil war

Other Libyan Ports

In addition to Tripoli, there's another major port in Libya, Misrata. It's located in the northwestern part of the country and serves as a key shipping hub.

Misrata has a significant container terminal, which is operated by the Misrata Free Zone Authority. The port's container terminal is equipped to handle a wide range of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and general cargo.

The port of Misrata is also home to a number of oil and gas terminals, which play a critical role in Libya's energy sector.

Derna

Derna is a port located between Benghazi and Tobruk in eastern Libya, situated at 32° 45′ 46″ North and 22° 39′ 16″ East. More than 80 ships pass through the port per year.

Credit: youtube.com, Libya's Derna cleans up a week after deadly flood | AFP

The port's primary exports include cattle, sheep, and barley. All vessels must anchor as advised by the port authority, and transferring berths is only permitted if directed by the port authority.

A notable aspect of the port is its tidal waters, which have a range and flow of 0.5 meter. Entry to the port is only allowed during daytime hours, making it essential for ships to plan their arrival accordingly.

The port has three tugs with a total capacity of 2,400 horsepower, providing assistance to vessels as needed. Summer is the load line zone, indicating the time of year when ships are most active in the port.

Al Khoms/Khums

Al Khoms/Khums is a medium-sized port situated on the Libyan coastline east of the capital Tripoli. It's one of the few Libyan ports that has not suffered the disastrous consequences of civil war in terms of long-term port blockages and destruction of equipment due to bombardment.

Stunning aerial shot of Libyan rocky coastline with clear blue waters, showcasing natural beauty.
Credit: pexels.com, Stunning aerial shot of Libyan rocky coastline with clear blue waters, showcasing natural beauty.

In 2017, the port was visited by 445 ships and handled 49,000 TEU and 80,000 bulk cargo. The port's navigation channel has a depth of 15.5 m and an anchorage depth of 10 to 11 m. It comprises 20 berths, with 5 for handling conventional cargo, 3 for containers, and the rest dedicated to oil, petroleum, and chemicals. Each berth measures 100 to 450 m with drafts of 9 to 10 m respectively.

The port has 10 storage yards covering 15 hectares, including a main storage area and a paved space for keeping bagged goods and containers. No closed storage space and warehouses are available at Al Khums, however it offers a cold storage facility and 530 reefer stations.

Ras el Hilal

Ras el Hilal is a port located 48 kilometers west of Derna and 240 kilometers east of Benghazi.

The port's coordinates are North 32° 54′ 42.49″ – East 022° 10′ 18.42″, making it an easily identifiable location.

Beautiful aerial view of the azure Libyan coastline at Bombah, showcasing vibrant blue waters and sandy shores.
Credit: pexels.com, Beautiful aerial view of the azure Libyan coastline at Bombah, showcasing vibrant blue waters and sandy shores.

Ras el Hilal Port Authority is the local authority responsible for managing the port's operations.

The maximum length of a vessel that can be registered at the port is 33 meters.

During the summer months, the port is designated as a load line zone, which means vessels must adhere to specific regulations to ensure safe navigation.

The port has a draft limitation of 6.1 meters, which affects the types of vessels that can use the port.

Port Information

Libya has a significant number of ports along its Mediterranean coastline.

The port of Tripoli, located in the capital city, is the largest port in Libya and serves as a major hub for international trade.

It has a total of 14 berths and can accommodate vessels up to 300 meters in length.

The port of Misrata is another major port in Libya, handling a significant amount of cargo and passenger traffic.

It has a total of 7 berths and is equipped with modern cargo handling equipment.

port with cranes
Credit: pexels.com, port with cranes

The port of Benghazi is a major commercial port and is also an important naval base for the Libyan Navy.

It has a total of 10 berths and can accommodate vessels up to 250 meters in length.

These ports play a crucial role in Libya's economy and are essential for the country's trade and commerce activities.

Gretchen Gerhold

Writer

Gretchen Gerhold has established herself as a prolific writer, covering a diverse range of topics including logistics, trade, and economic development. Her articles on container terminals and the logistics sector in India provide deep insights into the complexities of modern supply chain management. Focusing on the state of Kerala, her work on the economy and transport in Kochi highlights the region's significant contributions to India's economic landscape.

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