The arrival of the 300-metre-long MV Guo Yun Hai and the official inauguration of COSCO Shipping’s North Africa Express service have marked a significant step forward in maritime trade connectivity between China and Libya.
According to the shipping line, the new service is designed to improve supply chain efficiency by eliminating intermediate transhipment ports, reducing transit times and offering greater cargo flexibility for shippers, importers and industrial enterprises operating between the two countries.
The launch is also expected to strengthen Libya’s logistics sector, where direct container liner connections from the Far East have historically remained limited. Most cargo moving into Libya has traditionally relied on third-party transhipment hubs, resulting in longer delivery cycles and increased logistics costs.
COSCO Shipping said the North Africa Express service will enhance regional supply chain resilience and operational flexibility while expanding Libya’s trade links with global markets.
The service will operate on a bi-monthly basis using modern container vessels, including the MV Guo Yun Hai. The route provides full non-transhipment coverage connecting key ports in China and North Africa.
The port rotation for the North Africa Express service is:
Qingdao – Incheon – Shanghai – Ningbo – Guangzhou Nansha – Suez Canal – Port Said West (Egypt) – Benghazi (Libya) – Misurata (Libya) – Valencia (Spain).