A major grain storage project is underway at Libya’s Julyana Free Zone Port in Benghazi, aiming to strengthen national and regional food security through one of the world’s largest silo complexes. The project is being implemented with the participation of Turkish, French, Belgian, and Libyan companies.
Planned for completion within one year, the project is described as one of the largest of its kind globally in terms of capacity, scale, and technology. Oversight is being carried out by the Julyana Free Zone Authority, with construction works—including silo foundations—supervised by the Libyan firm Aber Alalem.
Turkish Company Builds the Core Storage Facilities
While a French company supplies the modern grain conveying systems and a Belgian company manufactures the Vegan-branded grain handling equipment, the construction of the grain storage silos, which form the core of the project, is being carried out by a Turkish company.
Project Director Engineer Mohammed bin Attia stated that the facility has been designed as a cylindrical system of 20 silos, making it one of the largest silo projects worldwide in both area coverage and storage capacity.
Technical Specifications
- Project area: Approximately 9 hectares
- Silo height: 26 meters
- Silo tower height: 40 meters
- Silo diameter: 27.4 meters per unit
The complex will also include:
- A fully integrated grain packaging plant
- A state-of-the-art quality control and testing laboratory
- Electrical infrastructure and a dedicated power plant to ensure uninterrupted operations
Strategic Grain Reserve for Regional Stability
The project aims to establish a strategic grain reserve capable of protecting Libya and neighboring countries from global supply disruptions and market volatility. Both domestic and international markets are targeted.
The silos are designed to store a wide range of grains, including wheat, barley, corn, soybeans, and others. Each silo features temperature-controlled systems tailored to the specific requirements of the stored product, ensuring optimal quality preservation.
The operating system will be available in Arabic and English, and the facility is being equipped to handle simultaneous import and export operations.
High-Capacity Unloading and Packaging Systems
The Free Zone Authority has installed two modern Vegan-type grain suction machines that transfer grain directly from ships to silos.
- Capacity: Approximately 600 tons per hour per machine
Given that the world’s largest grain carriers typically hold no more than 60,000 tons, unloading operations are expected to take less than 50 hours, significantly reducing cargo loss.
The project also includes a grain packaging facility with 10 filling stations, strategically located between the port pier and the silo area to streamline handling and distribution.
Quality Control, Jobs, and Training
A dedicated laboratory building will analyze grain shipments prior to unloading. Cargo that does not meet approved standards will be classified for animal feed use.
According to Bin Attia, the project will also feature:
- An integrated maintenance workshop
- Continuous spare parts supply
- Periodic maintenance programs
- Workforce training initiatives
These components are expected to create new employment opportunities, particularly for young professionals, while ensuring long-term operational efficiency.
Source: Patronlar Dünyası/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök