UN/LOCODE: LYKHO📍 Libya

Port of Al Khums (UN/LOCODE LYKHO)

❖ Coordinates: 32.6500°N, 14.2700°E

❖ Time Zone: Africa/Tripoli

❖ UN/LOCODE: LYKHO

## About the Port The Port of Al Khums (UN/LOCODE: LYKHO) is a strategically significant maritime gateway situated on Libya's Mediterranean coast at coordinates 32.65° North latitude and 14.27° East longitude. Located approximately 120 kilometers east of the capital, Tripoli, within the Al Murqub province, it serves as a critical entry point for general cargo into Western Libya. Operating under the Africa/Tripoli timezone, Al Khums is recognized primarily as a multi-purpose port handling a diverse range of cargo, including containers, Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels, and bulk commodities. Its geographical position offers a direct maritime link to key European and Mediterranean trade partners, making it an indispensable component of Libya's often-challenging supply chain network. The port's operational resilience amidst regional complexities underscores its enduring importance to the economic stability and livelihood of the surrounding hinterland. ## History The history of Al Khums as a significant coastal settlement stretches back centuries, though its development into a modern port facility is a more recent phenomenon. The area surrounding Al Khums is historically rich, situated near the ancient Roman city of Leptis Magna, which itself was a prominent port in antiquity. However, the contemporary port infrastructure at Al Khums began to take shape during the Italian colonial period and further expanded during Libya's post-independence era, particularly from the 1970s onwards. Its growth was driven by the increasing demand for imported goods to support a burgeoning population and developing economy. In recent decades, especially following the 2011 civil unrest and subsequent political fragmentation, the port has faced considerable operational and security challenges. Despite these difficulties, Al Khums has consistently demonstrated its critical role in maintaining vital supply lines, often adapting to fluctuating security environments and operational disruptions, solidifying its place as a resilient maritime hub. ## Infrastructure & Facilities The Port of Al Khums boasts a comprehensive set of facilities designed to accommodate various vessel types and cargo operations. The port comprises several main berths with depths typically ranging from 8 to 11 meters, allowing access for medium-sized container vessels, Ro-Ro ships, and general cargo carriers. Key infrastructure includes: * **Berthing:** Multiple quay walls dedicated to general cargo, a dedicated Ro-Ro ramp, and facilities for container operations. The total quay length allows for simultaneous handling of several vessels. * **Cargo Handling Equipment:** The port is equipped with mobile harbor cranes (MHCs) for container and general cargo operations, forklifts, reach stackers, and other heavy lifting machinery. Tugboats and pilotage services are mandatory and available to ensure safe vessel maneuvering within the port's approaches and basins. * **Storage Facilities:** Extensive open storage areas are available for bulk commodities, vehicles, and weather-resilient cargo. Covered warehouses provide secure storage for sensitive goods, including foodstuffs and manufactured products, crucial for maintaining cargo integrity. * **Logistics & Connectivity:** The port is directly connected to Libya's primary road network, facilitating the efficient onward distribution of cargo to Al Murqub province and further inland to cities like Tarhouna and Bani Walid. This road access is vital for minimizing dwell times and optimizing supply chain logistics within Western Libya. * **Security:** As a signatory to the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, Al Khums maintains security measures, including access control, surveillance, and patrolled perimeters, to ensure compliance and safeguard port operations, albeit challenged at times by regional security dynamics. Further details on port security compliance can often be found through global maritime information systems such as IMO GISIS↗. ## Economic Importance Al Khums Port serves as a vital economic artery for the Al Murqub region and plays a significant role in Libya's broader import-dependent economy. Its primary function is to facilitate the inflow of essential goods, ranging from foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals to construction materials, machinery, and vehicles, which are crucial for the country's reconstruction efforts and daily sustenance. By providing a reliable gateway, Al Khums directly supports local businesses, contributes to regional employment through port operations, customs, transportation, and ancillary services, and helps stabilize commodity prices by ensuring consistent supply. While export activities are comparatively limited, the port handles local products such as cement and aggregates, contributing to the regional industrial output. The port's operational continuity is paramount for maintaining economic stability and humanitarian aid distribution in a country often affected by internal disruptions, making it a cornerstone of Libya's socio-economic resilience. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo Al Khums Port is predominantly integrated into regional Mediterranean trade routes, connecting Libya to key trading partners in Southern Europe, North Africa, and Turkey. Major shipping lines and feeder services regularly call at Al Khums, linking it to larger transshipment hubs in Malta, Italy, and Greece, which then provide connections to global trade networks. * **Primary Imports:** * **Foodstuffs:** Grains, sugar, cooking oil, processed foods – critical for national consumption. * **Construction Materials:** Cement, steel bars, timber, aggregates – essential for infrastructure development and rebuilding efforts. * **Vehicles & Machinery:** Passenger cars, commercial vehicles, heavy construction equipment, agricultural machinery – supporting various economic sectors. * **Consumer Goods:** Electronics, textiles, household items. * **Chemicals & Petroleum Products:** For industrial use and energy sector support. * **Primary Exports:** * While import-dominant, the port handles limited exports primarily consisting of: * **Cement and Aggregates:** From local industries. * **Scrap Metal:** Recycling materials. * **Agricultural Produce:** Seasonal and often in smaller volumes. The port's strategic location and its role in handling diverse cargo types underscore its importance in facilitating Libya's international trade. Despite ongoing geopolitical complexities that can impact shipping schedules and port operations across Libya, Al Khums remains a consistently utilized port for operators seeking to serve Western Libya, often acting as a preferred alternative or complement to Tripoli for certain cargo types and origins. Reliable and up-to-date information on shipping movements and port calls can be accessed through maritime intelligence platforms. For general insights into Mediterranean shipping and trade, resources such as UNCTAD's publications on maritime transport↗ provide broader context on regional dynamics.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

LYKHO

Country

Libya

Province / Region

Al Murqub

Latitude

32.650000

Longitude

14.270000

Timezone

Africa/Tripoli

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Al Khums?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Al Khums is LYKHO.

Where is Port of Al Khums located?

The Port of Al Khums is located in Libya, Al Murqub. Its coordinates are 32.6500°N, 14.2700°E.

What time zone is Port of Al Khums in?

Port of Al Khums operates in the Africa/Tripoli time zone.

🌊 Live Marine Conditions

Wave Height0.66 m

Wave Direction42°

Swell Height0.66 m

Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API

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About the World Port Index

This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.

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