Juliana port aims to become a regional shipping hub
LIBYA – The Director-General of the Juliana Free Zone, Captain Ahmed Al-Ammami, has signed an agreement with the Chinese company Chinaland Shipping designating the free zone’s port in Benghazi as a main regional hub for direct sea freight from China, opening up prospects for trade and logistics between the two countries.
Agreement signed on the sidelines of a partners’ conference
The signing ceremony, attended by the chief executive of Chinaland Shipping, took place on the sidelines of a partners’ conference as part of a joint drive to develop trade and logistics cooperation and expand maritime transport between Libya and China.
Direct voyages from Chinese ports to Benghazi
Under the agreement, direct cargo voyages will begin from Chinese ports to Juliana port using high-capacity vessels, which could cut journey times and transport and shipping costs compared with traditional routes that pass through intermediate ports.
Consolidating goods and re-exporting to neighbouring markets
The Juliana Free Zone’s media office said the port’s role would not be limited to receiving goods destined for the Libyan market, but would also include efforts to turn it into a regional hub for consolidating goods arriving from China and re-shipping and exporting them to regional markets and neighbouring countries.
Logistics investment and international shipping lines
The free zone said it expected the partnership to boost trade, attract additional international shipping lines and create investment opportunities in transport and logistics, strengthening Benghazi’s position as a commercial gateway and a link between Asian and regional markets.
Company founded in Shanghai in 2001
Chinaland Shipping is a strategic partner of the Juliana Free Zone. Headquartered in Shanghai, China, it was founded in 2001 and specialises in transporting dry bulk and non-containerised general cargo.
Fleet of more than 180 vessels and nearly 10 million tonnes of capacity
According to the Chinese company’s website, it operates a fleet of more than 180 vessels with a combined deadweight of nearly 10 million tonnes, and transported more than 40 million tonnes of cargo in 2025.
