Transportation in Libya
Railways
Libya has had no railroad in operation since 1965, all previous systems having been dismantled. Current plans are to construct a 1.435-m standard gauge line from the Tunisian frontier to Tripoli and Misratah, then inland to Sabha, center of a mineral-rich area. There has been little progress, however. Other plans made jointly with Egypt would establish a rail line from As Sallum, Egypt, to Tobruk with completion originally set for mid-1994. Libya signed contracts with Bahne of Egypt and Jez Sistemas Ferroviarios in 1998 for the supply of crossings and pointwork.
Highways
total:
83,200 km
paved:
47,590 km
unpaved:
35,610 km (1996 est.)Waterways
There are no waterways in Libya.Pipelines
crude oil 4,383 km; petroleum products 443 km (includes liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) 256 km); natural gas 1,947 kmPorts and harbors
Al Khums, Banghazi, Darnah, Marsa al Burayqah, Misratah, Ra's Lanuf, Tobruk, Tripoli, ZuwarahMerchant marine:
total:
27 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 401,303 GRT/656,632 DWT
ships by type:
cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, liquified gas 3, petroleum tanker 6, roll-on/roll-off 4, short-sea passenger 4 (1999 est.)Airports
142 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways
total:
59
over 3,047 m:
24
2,438 to 3,047 m:
6
1,524 to 2,437 m:
22
914 to 1,523 m:
5
under 914 m:
2Airports - with unpaved runways
total:
83
over 3,047 m:
5
2,438 to 3,047 m:
2
1,524 to 2,437 m:
15
914 to 1,523 m:
42
under 914 m:
19 (1999 est.)
