According to a report issued by the Libya Herald, the Libyan National Army (LNA) targeted an oil tanker off of Benghazi on Tuesday, 13 January. The strike was carried out by a combat aircraft and at this point information concerning the status of the vessel remains sparse.
No report has been issued in regard to the damages done to tanker and the status of the crew. The tanker was hit as he was allegedly going to supply Ansar al-Sharia forces with oil.
The aforementioned incident underscores the enduring threat posed by the ongoing combat operations to close-to-shore maritime activity in eastern Libya. The eastern city of Benghazi is experiencing prolonged fighting pitting members of the LNA against radical Islamist fighters. The port of Benghazi is periodically subject to heavy clashes.
The LNA tries to use its air superiority to cut the Islamists’ maritime supply lines. On 4 January, a combat aircraft bombed a Liberia-flagged oil tanker. The tanker, identified as Araevo, was operated by a Greek shipping company. It was carrying 12,600 tons of crude oil from Brega to Derna. The incident resulted in the death of two crew members.
The Club’s understanding about the port situation in Libya as of 16 January is as follows:
Open ports:
- Melliteh
- Zawia
- Tripoli
- Khoms
- Misurata
- Marsa El Brega
- Marsa Al Heriga
- Toburk
Closed ports:
- Esider
- Ras Lanuf
- Benghazi
- Derna
- Misratsa (NATO Shipping Centre reported that the Libyan Air Force has issued a notice saying that any vessels approaching the Libyan port of Misrata will be subject to airstrikes from 09 January 2015. The Shipping Centre advised vessels intending to call at Misrata to contact port and flag state authorities and local shipping agents for further instruction.)
Members are advised the situation is very unstable and can change at any time and information is unreliable.
Libya is assessed as an extreme risk operating country, and current indicators and warnings strongly suggest that instability and insecurity will continue on a negative trajectory for 2015. Key factors of negative stability and security:
• Rival parallel governments depress the political risk environment and leave uncertainty over political legitimacy and control of state institutions.
• Prime Minister Abdullah Al Thinni, his main rival Omar al-Hassi (leader of the parallel government in Libya, National Salvation Government, NSG) and Ibrahim Jadhram, militia leader from Ajdabiya are in competition for control of the country’s oil assets.
• Recognised capital of Tripoli is under threat of becoming the epicentre of civil conflict between Islamist Libya Dawn and the pro-government forces of ex-General Khalifa Haftar.
• Islamic State (IS) control of the eastern town of Derna may lead to increased foreign terrorist presence and activity that could permeate throughout Libya and periphery states.
The UN has tried to broker a deal to get these competing sides to the negotiating table. Previous efforts have failed and Special Representative for Libya Leon Bernadino has acknowledged that the UN alone cannot achieve engagement in reconciliation without other external support, namely from the US. At present and in the foreseeable future, this intense political dispute is playing out on the ground through armed conflict. Tripoli is likely to become an epicentre of armed conflict mainly between the Libya Dawn and forces loyal to ex-General Khalifa Haftar.
Members are advised to exercise extreme caution if trading to any Libyan port.
Member Alert is published by The Swedish Club as a service to members. While the information is believed correct, the Club cannot assume responsibility for completeness or accuracy.