, represented by its Chairman Mohsen Al-Sagoutri, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last Thursday (11 June) with the Belgian .
The signing ceremony was attended by the Belgian Ambassador to Libya, François Dumont, and an accompanying delegation that included representatives from Belgian ports and Jan De Nul, a global company specializing in marine engineering and dredging.
The MoU aims to enhance cooperation in port development and logistics through the exchange of expertise, technical and consulting services, institutional capacity building, support for digital transformation and innovation, and the development of clean and sustainable energy solutions.
The MoU also encompasses cooperation in preparing port master plans and developing infrastructure projects and specialized terminals, including a bulk cargo terminal, to diversify port activities and enhance the competitiveness of the Misrata Free Zone port.
The MoU also aims to leverage the expertise of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, one of the leading logistics centers and the second largest port in Europe, serving the future of the maritime transport and logistics sector in Libya.
In an exclusive statement to Libya Herald, , Director of Marketing and International Cooperation at the Misrata Free Zone, confirmed that this step represents a significant milestone in the development of the free zone and strengthening its presence on the transportation and logistics map of the Mediterranean and Africa.
Baba stated that the partnership with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges will provide an opportunity to benefit from advanced global expertise in port management, infrastructure development, and digital services. He noted that the Misrata Free Zone is working to build a network of high-quality international partnerships that support its plans to transform into a regional logistics hub capable of attracting investments and improving the efficiency of trade.
He added that the agreement is part of the free zone's strategy aimed at developing port facilities and enhancing their competitiveness, which serves the national economy and supports efforts to diversify income sources and stimulate commercial and investment activity in Libya.
Both sides affirmed that this strategic partnership will contribute to supporting efforts to develop the Misrata Free Zone as a regional logistics hub, benefiting from the accumulated expertise of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, which will positively impact the future of the maritime transport and logistics sector in Libya.