Benghazi's Julyana Free Zone Port revealed today that it is working actively to open new maritime passenger routes to and from Mediterranean ports.
The news came following the announcement that Captain Ahmed Al-Omami, General Manager of the Julyana Free Zone, has provided support to the port’s Passport Control Department by allocating office space within the administration building.
This initiative, the Free Zone said, recognizes the Passport Control Department’s vital role in processing the arrival and departure procedures for passengers traveling through the port.
This development, the Free Zone explained, coincides with the establishment of a passenger shipping route connecting its port to Turkish ports, with one voyage per week.
Major General Ali Al-Kakli, Head of Passport Control at the Free Zone port, explained that some of the primary challenges facing operations include the failure to extend the subsea cable to the Juliana Free Zone port and a lack of modern computer equipment.
He stressed the need for the necessary technical resources to improve service standards and expedite procedures. He also called for the provision of vehicles marked with the department’s insignia to facilitate the movement of its personnel within the port, consistent with the practices of other departments.
Al-Kakli underscored the importance of maritime passenger travel in stimulating commercial and economic activity in the city, creating opportunities for small-scale merchants to grow their businesses, and serving as an indicator of stable security conditions. He affirmed that the oversight authority is fully prepared to handle such voyages, regardless of the number of trips or the volume of passengers on board.
He called for the provision of a dedicated area to accommodate passengers, in anticipation of an expected increase in the number of voyages and travellers in the coming period—a trend driven by the lower cost of sea travel. He also noted that the duration of these voyages is subject to weather conditions.