Port Description
Location: Situated in the heart of Tarabulus, the capital and main commercial hub of western Libya.
Role: Serves as the principal port of the country, connecting Libya to key Mediterranean and international trade routes.
General Overview
Harbor Area: Approximately 3 square kilometers.
Protection: Secured by two breakwaters mea
Port Description
Location: Situated in the heart of Tarabulus, the capital and main commercial hub of western Libya.
Role: Serves as the principal port of the country, connecting Libya to key Mediterranean and international trade routes.
General Overview
Harbor Area: Approximately 3 square kilometers.
Protection: Secured by two breakwaters measuring 2,000 m and 700 m in length.
Infrastructure: Built for efficiency, safety, and smooth maritime operations.
Terminal Restrictions
General Information
Total Area: 3 sq km
Breakwaters: 2,000 m and 700 m
Annual Vessel Traffic: ~600 ships
Load Line Zone: Summer
Maximum Draft: 10.7 m
Maximum Beam: 25 m
Maximum LOA: 190 m
Design: Built for safety, precision, and smooth vessel handling
Pre-Arrival Protocol
ETA Notice: Submit 12 hours before arrival
Communication: Port Control via VHF
General Information
Total Area: 3 sq km
Breakwaters: 2,000 m and 700 m
Annual Vessel Traffic: ~600 ships
Load Line Zone: Summer
Maximum Draft: 10.7 m
Maximum Beam: 25 m
Maximum LOA: 190 m
Design: Built for safety, precision, and smooth vessel handling
Pre-Arrival Protocol
ETA Notice: Submit 12 hours before arrival
Communication: Port Control via VHF Channels 6, 10, 12, and 16
Navigation Details
Latitude: 32°54′ N
Longitude: 13°11′ E
Time Zone: GMT +2
UNCTAD Code: LYTIP
Port Overview
Location: Qasr Ahmed, 250 km east of Tripoli
Role: One of Libya’s most advanced and strategically located commercial ports
Design: Modern infrastructure, well-founded berths, and efficient mooring systems ensure smooth and safe operations
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General Information
Port Overview
Location: Qasr Ahmed, 250 km east of Tripoli
Role: One of Libya’s most advanced and strategically located commercial ports
Design: Modern infrastructure, well-founded berths, and efficient mooring systems ensure smooth and safe operations
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General Information
Harbor Area: ~3 sq km, protected by two breakwaters (2,000 m & 700 m)
Annual Vessel Traffic: ~200 ships
Load Line Zone: Summer
Maximum Draft: 10.8 m
Maximum LOA: 190 m
Maximum Beam: 25 m
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Pre-Arrival Protocol
ETA Notice: 12 hours before arrival via Port Control
Communication: VHF Channel 16
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Navigation Details
Latitude: 32°22′ N
Longitude: 15°14′ E
Time Zone: GMT +2
UNCTAD Code: LYMRA
Entrance Channel: 12.0 m deep, between two breakwaters 150 m apart
Pilotage: Compulsory – boarding 0.5 nm east of the Fairway Buoy
Pilot Availability: 08:00 – 22:00 hrs
Anchorage: Within 1.5 nm of 32°23′ N / 15°18′ E (poor holding ground; vessels advised to leave in bad weather)
Tidal Range: 0.5 m
Dock Density: 1026
Prevailing Winds: Northerly
Charts: BA 3353 / Admiralty Pilot NP49
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Berths & Cargo Handling
General Cargo / Bulk: 5 berths (each 180 m long, 11.0 m depth); one for grain, four for general cargo
Ro-Ro Berth: 1 berth (200 m long, 10.0 m depth)
Storage:
22,500 m² covered storage
50,000+ m² open storage
Dedicated grain silo available
Equipment: 11 new cranes (capacity 60–120 tons) operated by the stevedoring department
Port Services
Bunkers & Fresh Water: Available
Medical Facilities: Available on site
Nearest Airport: Tripoli International Airport (250 km)
Working Hours:
General Cargo: 08:00 – 19:00 hrs
Container Vessels: 24-hour operations
Public Holidays: Mar 8, May 25, Jun 11, Jul 23, Sep 1, Oct 7, and variable Islamic holidays (Friday is weekly port holiday)
Contact Information
Port Authority: General Ports & Lights Authority
Harbour Office: Qasr Ahmed, Libya
Telephone: +218 51 2 21094
Location: Situated on Libya’s northern coast, 250 km east of the Tunisian border
Function: Recognized as a direct delivery port, Khoms handles vehicles, containers, and general cargo that do not require closed storage
Load Line Zone: Summer
Maximum Vessel Size: Up to 14,500 DWT
Pre-Arrival Information
ETA Notice: Must be reported upon departur
Location: Situated on Libya’s northern coast, 250 km east of the Tunisian border
Function: Recognized as a direct delivery port, Khoms handles vehicles, containers, and general cargo that do not require closed storage
Load Line Zone: Summer
Maximum Vessel Size: Up to 14,500 DWT
Pre-Arrival Information
ETA Notice: Must be reported upon departure from the previous port and again 24 hours before arrival
Vessel Diversions: Accepted with one hour’s notice
Radio Communication:
Port Authority – VHF Channel 16
Pilot Station – VHF Channels 8, 10, and 12
Health & Clearance
Vessels must present a Clean Bill of Health or equivalent from the last port of call
All crew must carry valid International Health Certificates with smallpox vaccination
Customs & Immigration: Officials board upon arrival for clearance and pratique
Restricted Items: Tobacco, alcohol, firearms, and similar goods must remain sealed under Customs supervision
Personal Allowance: 25 cigarettes or 25 g of tobacco per crew member per day
Required Documentation
Crew List: 4 copies
Crew Personal Effects Declaration: 1 copy
Stores List: 1 copy
Passenger List: 1 copy
Cargo Manifest (Discharge): 6 copies
Transit Cargo Summary: 1 copy
Passenger Manifest: 1 copy
Last Port Clearance: Mandatory
Regulations
The Libyan Boycott Law prohibits vessels from carrying any goods of Israeli or South African origin; violations may result in fines and confiscation
Signal Flag: International Code Flag “B” must be displayed during loading and unloading
Notice of Readiness (NOR): Tendered once berthed
All vessels must comply fully with Libyan Port Regulations
Navigation Details
Port Coordinates:
Between Lat 32°39′–32°42′ N / Long 14°13′–14°25′ E
Channel Depth: 13 m
Pilotage: Compulsory
Anchorage Area: Between 32°41′–32°42′ N / 14°17′–14°18′ E, depth 10 m (rocky seabed)
Dock Density: 1025
Prevailing Winds:
NW in winter
E–SE in summer
Tidal Range: Minimal
Weather Conditions: Generally stable; port operations restricted to daylight hours
Navigation Aids
New Lighthouse: Fl(3).18s.75m.24M (Lat 32°41′ N, Long 14°13′ E)
Old Lighthouse: Fl.3s.26m.12M
Racon Beacon: Fl(4) RW.15s (3 cm & 10 cm radar)
Charts: BA 3353, Admiralty Pilot NP49
Traffic Control: Managed by Port Radio
Tugboats: Available
Coast Guard: Active presence within port waters
Berths & Cargo Handling
Quay Length (m) Depth (m)
12 390 8.0
13 200 10.0
14–15 530 10.0
16–17 500 10.0
18 340 10.0
19 150 10.0
20 75 12.0
Contact Information
Port Authority: Khoms Port Authority
Address: Shat Street, Khoms, Libya
Telephone: +218 31 21809
Telex: 30423 ARC LY
Contact Person: Capt. A. Nassef
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