Misurata Free Zone Port has received the container vessel GUO YUN HAI, operated by COSCO Shipping, marking the launch of a new direct container service linking China and Libya.
The call forms part of COSCO Shipping’s North Africa Express network and represents a shift in Libya’s import–export logistics model, where cargo has historically been routed via transhipment hubs, adding both time and cost to supply chains.
By introducing a direct Far East connection, the service is expected to streamline cargo flows into the Libyan market and improve overall supply chain efficiency.
The vessel arrived in Misurata carrying approximately 1,000 containers for discharge, with a similar volume scheduled for loading on the outbound voyage.
The new route is designed to reduce transit times, bypass intermediary ports, and improve service reliability for regional shippers, while also strengthening trade connectivity between Libya and Asia.
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COSCO Shipping is deploying the service on a scheduled basis with two sailings per month using a fleet of large container vessels, including the approximately 300-metre GUO YUN HAI.
The development is expected to support increased trade volumes between Libya and China, reinforcing bilateral commercial flows between a major manufacturing base and a strategically located North African gateway.
Beyond trade impacts, the service is also positioned to enhance Misurata Free Zone Port’s role within regional shipping networks, offering a more direct access point for international cargo flows into Libya and neighbouring markets.
Prior to its Misurata call, the vessel also stopped at Benghazi Port, where 209 containers were discharged, and around 250 containers were loaded as part of its rotation.
The new direct connection is expected to contribute to broader economic activity in Libya, while improving the country’s integration into established Asia–Africa maritime trade routes.
For more information:
Misurata Free Zone Port – https://www.mfzly.com/en/
