Misrata: Misrata Free Zone announced a strategic public-private partnership with Qatar’s Maha Capital Partners and Terminal Investment Limited (TIL), the investment and operating arm of MSC Group, aiming to develop, modernize, and expand the Misrata Free Zone port. This initiative seeks to transform the port into a major logistics gateway in the Mediterranean and a regional transshipment hub.
According to Libyan News Agency, this agreement marks the largest non-oil infrastructure investment in Libya since 2011, representing a significant step in the country’s infrastructure reconstruction and integration into regional and global supply chains. The partnership aims to gradually increase the port’s capacity to 4 million TEUs annually through a phased development program. This will involve upgrading operating systems, equipment, berths, and yards, introducing advanced digital terminal operating systems, and developing facilities capable of accommodating mega container ships. Additionally, the port will be direc
tly connected to the surrounding industrial and logistics ecosystem, adhering to international standards of safety, security, and environmental sustainability.
The statement highlights that the project is expected to create 2,000 direct jobs at existing container terminals and the deep-water terminal, along with over 40,000 indirect jobs in the transport, services, industry, and supply chain sectors. The investment in the strategic partnership is projected to reach $2.7 billion, reinforcing Libya’s role as a regional logistics hub connecting Europe, North Africa, and the African continent.
TIL/MSC will contribute a global shipping network covering over 500 ports and operational expertise in managing major container terminals worldwide, ensuring the attraction of major shipping lines and stable shipping volumes. Maha Capital Partners will inject long-term investments and institutional expertise into financing major infrastructure projects in emerging markets, with a focus on governance, sustainability, and e
conomic impact.
During the signing ceremony, the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdulhamid Dbeiba, emphasized that this project is a strategic investment in Libya’s economic future. It positions the country as a pivotal port hub in the Mediterranean, diversifies income sources, creates tens of thousands of jobs, and boosts international investor confidence in the Libyan market’s stability and attractiveness.
The project will be implemented in three main phases: Immediate operational efficiency enhancement, deep expansion of berths and docks to accommodate mega-ships, and a long-term sustainability and growth phase to solidify the port’s position as a regional transshipment hub.
Mohsen Al-Saqoutri, Chairman of the Misrata Free Zone Management Committee, remarked on the Misrata Free Zone’s leadership in the project, reflecting the zone’s commitment to building modern and competitive infrastructure. The partnership is seen as a decisive step towards realizing the vision of the Misrata Fre
e Zone as a gateway for investment and growth.
The Misrata Free Zone, spanning 2,576 hectares with plans to expand to 20,000 hectares, operates a port handling 60-65% of Libya’s container trade. This partnership will transform the port from a major national port into a Mediterranean logistics hub capable of serving transit trade, supporting industries, attracting investment, and enhancing Libya’s connectivity with Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.