Benghazi (LYBEN)

The port was closed in 2014 due to internal military/civil conflict with its last reported vessel arrival 14 Oct 2014. However, on 1st October 2017, after three years, the port has reportedly reopened. It is a large commercial port serving the surrounding region, equipped to handle tankers, containers, Ro-Ro and general cargo vessels. Main exports include sheep, wool, hides, goat's hair fabrics and woollen rugs. Imports include foodstuffs, tobacco, textiles, pottery and chemical products.

Summer.

Benghazi is situated on the NE coast of the Gulf of Sidra.

LOA 199.99m, beam 32.26m, 50,521DWT.

Anchorage may be obtained in the roads, W and N of the port, but strong W winds cause a very heavy sea which renders the anchorage dangerous; during the winter it is seldom tenable. An obstruction lies 2.5nm W of Ra's Sidi Khuraybish. The anchorage area for vessels awaiting a berth lies between the parallels of 32°07'N and 32°11'N and between the meridians 019°56'E and 019°59.2'E. All vessels must anchor as instructed by the port authority, and must not shift berth except on the instruction of the port authority. Prohibited anchorage: Anchoring and fishing are prohibited within an area, shown on the chart, surrounding a submarine cable which comes ashore 3.5nm S of the N breakwater head (32°07.0'N 020°01.8'E).

There are 2 approaches as follows: Approaching from SW: Keep between 2.0-3.0nm offshore, to avoid the rocky shoals which lie SW of the port. Approaching from N: Make for the land NE of the port, especially in thick weather or with an offshore wind, as there are better landmarks here than SW, and there are no dangers lying more than 2.5nm offshore. A lightbuoy (safe water) is moored 4.0nm WSW of Benghazi Light structure (32°07.4'N 020°03.7'E). The white sector (064.75°-067.25°) of a direction light, situated 1.0nm WSW of the same light structure, leads past the lightbuoy and through the Middle Harbour entrance between the N extremity of W Breakwater and N Breakwater. Lights are exhibited from each side of the entrance. The entrance channel has been dredged to 13.5m and the harbour to 10.3m, except the approaches and alongside the tanker berth, just inside the W Breakwater, which are dredged to 12.5m. Outer Harbour: For vessels proceeding to the Outer Harbour attention is drawn to a submerged spit, with a depth of 1.3m, at the S end of the entrance, extending 0.75nm from the shore at Ras Bu Sceiba.

BA3352. Admiralty Pilot NP49, NP286(3).

1026.

Compulsory and available between 0700-2000hrs. Pilot boards vessels approximately 0.5nm off the harbour entrance but inside the breakwater in bad weather. Pilot can be reach out by VHF channel 12 or 16. During bad weather, pilots will board inside the break water.

Benghazi Light (brown water tower, 22m in height), standing in a cemetery. A disused lighthouse (white masonry tower, 33m in height) (0.1nm NW). Minaret (33m in height) (0.2nm SSW). Signal station (disused) 0.55nm SW), with a prominent mast (34m in height). Cathedral (0.7nm SSW; a rectangular building surmounted by twin domes).

During Feb, Mar and Apr, especially during N and NE winds, the water level is very low, falling about 0.6m below MSL. During Jun, Jul and Aug, especially with W and SW winds, the water level rises about 0.4m above MSL. Currents: Off Benghazi the current is usually S going.

Available.

Prevailing winds: NW'ly and SW'ly.

BANGHZ 32°06.99'N 20°02.12'E (BENGАSI) UNCTAD LOCODE: LY BEN ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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Radio: Benghazi Port Radio. VHF: Ch 16; 12.

Notice of ETA should be sent 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival.

The following are extracts from the harbour regulations: All power driven vessels berthed either alongside or end on at Rasif Giuliana, Cathedral Mole or Italia Mole are to have power available during harbour working hours. It is forbidden to discharge overboard, either in the harbour or in the roadstead, any burning material, ashes or rubbish of any kind. The loading and discharging of inflammable material and explosives must be carried out in accordance with the directions of the harbour master. Vessels arriving with a dangerous cargo onboard must anchor in the roadstead; the port authorities will instruct them where to berth. Vessels which burn fuel oil must clean their bilges before arriving in the roadstead or the harbour. Fuel oil must not be taken onboard without permission from the harbour master.