What’s new at Julyana Port—and why does it matter?
The Julyana Free Zone Port in Benghazi has announced a series of development milestones, chief among them the launch of a dedicated overflow container storage site to alleviate congestion at the docks. This move is part of a broader push to boost throughput, efficiency, and infrastructure in Libya’s key Mediterranean gateway.
Key Developments Unpacked
1. Transfer to Ganfuda Storage Terminal
- Containers that initially piled up at the Julyana docks are now being moved to Ganfuda Storage Terminal, a 37-hectare facility located about 9 km west of the port.
- To kick things off, 25 trucks are already operating overnight, shifting loads from the pier to Ganfuda.
2. Ganfuda Is Now Operational as Overflow Capacity
- Ganfuda has been upgraded with lighting, yard infrastructure, and necessary amenities to accept large volumes of container flow.
- The plan is to complete the second phase by fully relocating all stored containers from the port’s internal yards to this auxiliary site.
3. Scaling with Trade Growth
- The expansion drives from rising shipping line traffic and an uptick in arriving containers, which have been pressuring the port’s internal storage capacity.
- By outsourcing yard capacity to Ganfuda, Julyana aims to maintain smoother operations at the docks, reducing bottlenecks.
Why This Is Strategic
- Decongestion at the port: Dockside space is finite. Overflow storage ensures containers don’t block key movement or handling zones.
- Operational flexibility: Night operations and external storage add redundancy to Julyana’s logistics chain.
- Long-term scaling: As the port expects further volume growth, enabling overflow capacity becomes essential infrastructure for regional competitiveness.
