The Chinese shipping company COSCO Shipping has revealed the duration of the voyage on its new shipping route connecting Guangzhou and Benghazi, stating that it takes only 25 days. The company announced the launch of the route on Monday, and its president, Chen Xiaofeng, stated that voyages on the route are organized every two weeks, connecting Chinese coastal cities such as Qingdao, Shanghai, and Guangzhou with Libya, according to Xinhua News Agency.

For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Libya Ma Xuliang said, “Beijing is ready to work with Libya to seize this opportunity to enhance alignment between the two countries’ development strategies and ensure that the peoples of both countries benefit more fully from the fruits of the Belt and Road Initiative,” in a speech he delivered during the inauguration ceremony for this new maritime route.

Strengthening Trade Cooperation Between China and Libya

For his part, Belqasim Haftar, Director General of the Development and Reconstruction Fund, noted that this new shipping route would enhance communication between the two countries, adding that Libya is ready to continue deepening bilateral trade and investment cooperation for mutual benefit.

The Jalyana Free Zone in Benghazi hosted a ceremony to launch the route, with the arrival of the first COSCO container ship.

The new route allows for the direct transport of goods from ports in China and Korea to Benghazi without an intermediary, which helps reduce shipping time and lower costs, according to Mustafa Al-Sallak, the shipping agent for the route and branch manager of Bahar Al-Alam, in a previous statement to Alwasat.

The route will initially operate at a rate of two trips per month, with plans to increase this to four trips per month. He noted that regular operations will support local trade and boost transit and re-export activities. The Port of Benghazi is expected to serve as a major hub for transit cargo bound for Mediterranean ports and African countries, thereby strengthening its position as a regional logistics hub.