Libya Closes Power Station following Tanker Bombing

Following the bombing of one of its tankers by the internationally-recognized government forces, the National Oil Corporation of Libya called on the eastern forces to stop the damaging attacks.

NOC condemned the attack in a statement, saying the incident had considerable harmful consequences on the national economy and the lives of the Libyan people as it was targeted directly at the property of the Libyan people.

“We appeal to everyone in a position of authority to prevent targeting of economic potential of the country’s infrastructure because of its large impact on Libya’s security and stability, jeopardizing the country’s future,” NOC said.

Namely, a power station in a central Libyan city has shut down from lack of fuel, which was supposed to be provided by the tanker that was set ablaze by air strikes on Sunday.

The bombing has hampered NOC from ensuring the necessary fuel and, due to the incident, bringing fuel to the area will become even more difficult as it has proved to be a highly risky task. Shipping companies would be asking higher rates as a way of insurance to dare to send a ship in the region.

According to NOC, the incident results in the waste of public money, inflicting damages to national companies in a time when the country faces a dire need for power supply.

Anwaar Afriqya, carrying  30,000 litres of fuel, was anchored to offload fuel cargo at a terminal near the city of Sirte intended for a nearby power station on Sunday when it was bombed by warplanes.

The warplanes are believed to had targeted the tanker under suspicion that it was carrying fighters loyal to the rival government based in Tripoli, Bloomberg informed, citing Rida Issa, head of central Libya’s coastguard unit.

The bombing resulted in a fire in the tanker’s cockpit that was put out by the ship’s crew later in the day. NOC said that two crew members were injured in the incident.

World Maritime News Staff