Misrata, January 18, 2026 — The Misrata Free Zone announced the signing of a strategic public-private partnership with Qatari company Maha Capital Partners (MCP) and Terminal Investment Limited (TIL), the investment and operational arm of the MSC Group, the world’s largest container shipping company. The partnership aims to develop, modernize, and expand the Misrata Free Zone Port, transforming it into a major logistics gateway in the Mediterranean and a regional transshipment hub.

The Free Zone stated in a press release that this agreement represents the largest non-oil structural investment in Libya since 2011 and marks a turning point in rebuilding infrastructure and enhancing the country’s integration into regional and global supply chains.

According to the statement, the partnership aims to gradually increase the port’s capacity to reach 4 million standard containers annually through a phased development program. This program includes a comprehensive modernization of operating systems, equipment, quays, and yards; the introduction of advanced digital Terminal Operating Systems (TOS) to improve efficiency and reduce handling time; the development of facilities capable of receiving mega-container ships; direct connection of the port to the free zone and the surrounding industrial and logistics system; and the application of the highest international standards for safety, security, and environmental sustainability.

Preliminary estimates indicate the project will create 2,000 direct jobs in operating the existing container terminals and the deep-water terminal, and over 40,000 indirect jobs in the transport, services, industry, and supply chain sectors. The total investment in the strategic partnership is expected to reach $2.7 billion. These figures are anticipated to solidify Libya’s role as a regional logistics center connecting Europe with North Africa and the African continent.

The statement noted that TIL/MSC will provide a global shipping network extending to over 500 ports and operational expertise in managing the largest container terminals in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. This is expected to attract major shipping lines and ensure stable shipping volumes. Maha Capital Partners will provide long-term investments and institutional expertise in financing major infrastructure projects in emerging markets, with a focus on governance, sustainability, and maximizing economic impact.

During the signing ceremony, it was emphasized that the project represents a strategic investment in Libya’s economic future, placing the country on the map of pivotal Mediterranean ports. It supports income diversification, creates tens of thousands of jobs, and boosts international investor confidence in the stability and attractiveness of the Libyan market.

The project will be implemented in three main phases: immediate operational efficiency improvements through equipment and system modernization; deep expansion of quays and basins to receive mega-ships and increase capacity; and a long-term sustainability and growth phase to establish the port as a regional transshipment center.

It was also stressed that this partnership reflects the determination to build modern, globally competitive infrastructure that supports new industries, provides local job opportunities, and strengthens Libya’s position within regional and international supply chains. The Misrata Free Zone was established to be a gateway for investment and growth, and this step is a decisive move towards realizing that vision.

The Misrata Free Zone, which spans 2,576 hectares with expansion plans up to 20,000 hectares, manages a port that currently handles 60–65% of Libya’s container trade, making it the country’s most important maritime gateway.

This partnership will transform the Misrata Free Zone Port from a major national port into a Mediterranean logistics platform capable of serving transit trade, supporting industries, attracting investments, and enhancing Libya’s position as a hub connecting Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

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Misrata Free Zone

The Misrata Free Zone is a major industrial and commercial hub on Libya’s Mediterranean coast, established in the early 2000s to attract foreign investment and boost trade. Historically, it leveraged Misrata’s long-standing role as a key port city, and despite significant disruption during the 2011 Libyan Civil War, it has remained a vital economic engine for the region.

Misrata Free Zone Port

The Misrata Free Zone Port is a major commercial and industrial hub on Libya’s Mediterranean coast, established in the late 1990s as part of a broader economic free zone. Historically, the port of Misrata has been a key trade center for centuries, with the modern free zone developed to attract foreign investment and boost non-oil exports following the UN embargoes of the 1990s. Today, it serves as a vital logistics gateway for Libya, featuring container terminals, industrial parks, and customs-free storage and manufacturing facilities.

Mediterranean

The Mediterranean is not a single site but a vast region centered on the sea of the same name, historically known as the cradle of Western civilization. It was the hub for ancient empires like the Egyptians, Greeks, Phoenicians, and Romans, whose trade, ideas, and conflicts shaped its diverse cultures. Today, it remains a vital crossroads of three continents (Europe, Africa, and Asia), famed for its shared culinary traditions, climate, and historical legacy.

Libya

Libya is a North African country with a rich history as a crossroads of Mediterranean civilizations, most notably as the site of the ancient Greek and Roman city of Cyrene and the Phoenician outpost of Leptis Magna. Its modern history was significantly shaped by the long rule of Muammar Gaddafi from 1969 until the 2011 revolution and subsequent civil conflict. Today, it is known for its vast desert landscapes, UNESCO World Heritage archaeological sites, and ongoing political instability.

Europe

Europe is a continent with a rich and complex history, shaped by ancient civilizations like Greece and Rome, the transformative Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and periods of both empire and devastating conflict. Culturally, it is home to a vast array of UNESCO World Heritage sites, from medieval castles and Gothic cathedrals to classical ruins and modern architectural marvels. This shared yet diverse heritage continues to influence global art, philosophy, law, and politics.

North Africa

North Africa is a vast region encompassing countries such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt, historically defined by the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert. It has a deeply layered history, being home to ancient indigenous Berber (Amazigh) cultures, famed Phoenician outposts like Carthage, and later integral Roman, Arab, and Ottoman empires. This complex past is visible today in its diverse cultural heritage, from Egyptian pyramids and Roman ruins to historic Islamic medinas and vibrant contemporary traditions.

Africa

Africa is a vast continent with immense cultural and historical diversity, rather than a single site. It is widely recognized as the cradle of humankind, with fossil evidence tracing human origins back millions of years. Its history encompasses ancient civilizations like Egypt and Mali, complex trade networks, and a profound cultural legacy shaped by both indigenous kingdoms and external influences.

Middle East

The term “Middle East” refers to a transcontinental region centered on Western Asia and parts of North Africa, historically known as the “Cradle of Civilization” for the rise of ancient Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Persian empires. It is the birthplace of major world religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and its history is deeply marked by trade routes, successive caliphates, and, in the modern era, geopolitical significance due to its vast oil reserves. Today, it encompasses numerous countries with diverse cultures, languages, and political landscapes.