Libya’s Ras Lanuf port has suffered a “catastrophic damage” as it lost two crude oil tanks due to armed attacks in the oil crescent region.
Following the loss of tanks No. 2 and 12, crude oil storage capacity at the port has been reduced by 400,000 barrels, from 950,000 to 550,000 barrels, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) confirmed.
Prior to the attack which occurred on June 14, Ras Lanuf operated a total of five storage tanks.
NOC added that after the tank No. 2 was burnt, the fire could spread to tanks No. 1, 6 and 3, bringing exports from the port to a halt.
Fighting started when Ibrahim Jhadran militia, which is opposed to Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LAN), attacked Ras Lanuf and Es Sider ports last week.
NOC called for the immediate withdrawal of Jhadran’s forces from Ras Lanuf. This would enable the firefighters reach the burning tanks.
World Maritime News Staff