Misurata Free Zone deepens maritime links with China

The Port of the Misurata Free Zone has received a cargo vessel arriving from China as part of its growing transit trade operations serving several African markets, including Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria, as well as landlocked countries such as Chad.

In a statement published on Friday, the port administration said the vessel KAI XUAN 9 was carrying a diverse shipment of general cargo, including steel coils, plywood, vehicles and industrial equipment, with a total load exceeding 9,700 tonnes.

The administration said the arrival highlights increasing confidence among international shipping operators in the logistics and maritime services provided by the Misurata Free Zone.

It added that efforts are continuing to strengthen the port’s position as a strategic hub for transit trade across the Mediterranean and North Africa, supporting Libya’s ambition to play a larger role in regional and international supply chains.

The latest shipment comes amid broader efforts to expand the Free Zone’s connectivity with global markets. In April, the Misurata Free Zone announced the launch of a direct maritime shipping service linking Chinese ports to Misurata through COSCO Shipping, one of the world’s leading container shipping companies.

Officials said the new service is expected to reduce transit times, lower shipping costs and enhance supply chain efficiency for importers and exporters operating through Libya.

The announcement was made during an official visit by Chinese Ambassador to Libya Ma Xiwei Liang, marking his first visit to the Misurata Free Zone.