Seatrade-Maritime: Misurata Free Zone Port debuts new direct China–Libya route

Published by Seatrade-Maritime

The berthing of MV Guo Yun Hai and the official launch of COSCO Shipping’s North Africa Express service mark a pivotal milestone in maritime trade between China and Libya, according to the shipping line.

By bypassing intermediate transhipment ports, shortening transit lead times and offering greater cargo flexibility, the new route delivers substantial efficiency improvements and cost savings for importers, exporters and industrial enterprises in both countries.

The launch also stands as a landmark development for Libya’s logistics sector. Direct container liner services from the Far East to Libya have long been limited, leaving most cargo dependent on third-party transhipment hubs and resulting in longer transit cycles and higher supply chain expenses.

As part of COSCO Shipping’s North Africa Express network, the route also strengthens the resilience and operational flexibility of regional supply chains, while broadening trade ties between Libya and global markets, the company said.

The service will operate on a bi-monthly basis with modern container vessels, including the 300-meter-long MV Guo Yun Hai.

Covering major ports across China and North Africa with full non-transshipment coverage, the route follows the port rotation: Qingdao – Incheon -Shanghai – Ningbo -Guangzhou Nansha → Suez Canal – Port Said West (Egypt) -Benghazi (Libya) – Misurata (Libya) – Valencia (Spain).