Libyan Jalyana Port begins construction of large-scale grain silo complex
The project occupies an area of approximately 9 hectares, placing it among the largest silo developments globally in terms of land footprint and capacity.
LIBYA – Benghazi’s Jalyana Free Zone Port has announced the start of implementation of its Grain Silo Project, a major storage and logistics development that is scheduled for completion within one year.
The Free Zone Authority said the project is currently the largest grain silo development under implementation in terms of physical size and storage capacity.
According to the Port, the project is being executed with the participation of several local and international companies under the direct supervision and monitoring of the Jalyana Free Zone Authority.
Civil works, including the construction of silo foundations, are being handled by the Libyan company Aber Alalem.
The Free Zone confirmed that international expertise is being integrated into the project, with a French company responsible for the construction of the modern grain conveyor system, a Belgian company manufacturing Vegan brand grain conveyors, and a Turkish company undertaking the bulk of the works, including construction of the grain storage silos.
Providing technical details, the General Manager of the Silos Project, Engineer Mohammed bin Attia, said the facility has been designed as a cylindrical silo system comprising 20 silos.
He explained that the project occupies an area of approximately 9 hectares, placing it among the largest silo developments globally in terms of land footprint and capacity.
Each silo will reach a height of 26 metres, while the silo towers will rise to 40 metres, with each unit having a diameter of 27.4 metres.
Beyond storage, the project includes a fully integrated grain bagging plant, a modern quality control and testing laboratory, and associated infrastructure works.
These include the laying of electrical cables and the construction of a dedicated power station to ensure reliable energy supply for continuous and efficient operations.
The Free Zone Authority said the project is intended to support the establishment of a strategic grain reserve for Libya, reducing exposure to international market disruptions and supply volatility that could affect grain availability domestically or in neighbouring countries.
The silos are designed to store a wide range of commodities, including wheat, barley, soybeans and corn.
Attia noted that the silos will be equipped with temperature control systems, allowing conditions inside each silo to be adjusted according to the specific requirements of the stored grain.
This is intended to preserve grain quality and limit post-harvest losses. He added that the operating system was specified to be available in Arabic alongside English, and that the facility is designed to handle simultaneous import and export operations.
On the marine handling side, the Free Zone Authority has installed two Vegan-type grain suction machines with a combined unloading capacity of about 1,200 tonnes per hour.
Each machine is rated at approximately 600 tonnes per hour and will transfer grain directly from vessels to the silos.
The Authority said this capacity allows even large bulk carriers, with loads of up to 60,000 tonnes, to be discharged in no more than 50 hours, reducing vessel waiting time and minimizing cargo losses.
A dedicated laboratory building will be constructed to analyse grain quality before unloading. Shipments that do not meet approved specifications will be reclassified for use as animal feed.
The project also includes a grain bagging plant with 10 filling stations positioned between the berth and the silos to support efficient handling and distribution.
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