Oil tanker berths in Libya after Es Sider protest ends

A tanker that has been waiting to load crude at the Es Sider terminal in eastern Libya since the weekend has finally berthed after protests at the port ended.

A shipping report shows the Yannis P is now at Es Sider's single buoy mooring number 5, after waiting at anchorage for berthing instructions since 4 September. Despite the delay, the tanker will meet the 7-8 September laycan pencilled in for its loading, according to the shipping report.

The terminal, where Libya's flagship Es Sider crude grade is loaded for export, has been the site of protests since the weekend. Demonstrators demanding the dismissal of state-owned NOC's chairman Mustafa Sanalla had tried stop port workers from entering by closing the main gate, but they have now dispersed, a shipping source said.

Demonstrations have also taken place at the nearby Tobruk and Marsa el-Hariga terminals, where student protesters demanding work opportunities shut down the main entry gate. NOC today announced a graduate training scheme in what appears to be an attempt to meet these demands.

Protests happen frequently at Libyan ports but do not always disrupt operations.

By Ruxandra Iordache