President of Egypt Inaugurates Three Major Maritime Projects in East Port Said
(Container Terminal – Dry Bulk Terminal – Automotive Terminal)
H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated today three major maritime projects at East Port Said within the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), marking one of the most significant expansions in Egypt’s modern port development strategy.
These projects form a cornerstone of Egypt’s ambition to become a premier hub for global shipping, logistics, and transit trade — delivering clear operational advantages to shipowners, operators, carriers, and maritime service providers.
The ceremony opened with Quranic recitation, followed by the documentary “10 Years of Achievements”, highlighting the transformation of the SCZONE since its establishment. Egyptian officials and international partners addressed the attendees, underscoring Egypt’s rising role in global maritime networks.
Keith Svendsen, Executive Vice President of A.P. Moller–Maersk, praised Egypt’s strategic stability and affirmed Maersk’s commitment to expanding operations in the SCZONE.
Olivier De Noray, Chairman of SCAT (Suez Canal Automotive Terminal), highlighted East Port Said’s position as a gateway into Africa and a central platform for vehicle logistics.
Tarek Fathy, President of SkyPorts Group, emphasized how Egypt’s new multipurpose bulk terminal strengthens the country’s competitiveness in global supply chains.
SCZONE Chairman Waleid Gamal El-Dein confirmed that East Port Said has now become Africa’s largest container port and the 3rd largest globally in terms of operational ranking within the zone. Since 2016, the SCZONE has attracted USD 11.6 billion in investments, while expanding industrial and maritime activities, including green energy and large-scale manufacturing.
Minister of Transport and Industry Kamel El-Wazir outlined Egypt’s nationwide port development strategy:
14 ports fully upgraded
5 new ports constructed
A unified plan to position Egypt as the leading logistics center in the Middle East and Africa
President El-Sisi emphasized Egypt’s unique geographic position at the crossroads of global trade routes, urging stakeholders to accelerate project execution to secure Egypt’s position among the world’s top logistics hubs.
1️⃣ Expansion of the East Port Said Container Terminal (SCCT – Maersk)
The container terminal has been expanded by more than 3,000 meters of new berths, dramatically increasing capacity and operational throughput.
Key operational impacts:
Enhanced ability to receive ULCVs of +24,000 TEU capacity
Improved berth productivity & crane intensity
Reduced vessel turnaround time, driving cost savings for liner operators
Strengthened transshipment capabilities between Asia–Europe–Mediterranean routes
East Port Said now stands as:
Africa’s No.1 container port
Top 3 globally within the SCZONE ecosystem
2️⃣ Commissioning of the New Dry Bulk Terminal (SkyPorts)
A state-of-the-art green bulk terminal has been inaugurated, designed for maximum efficiency and environmental performance.
Key operational highlights:
8 million tons/year handling capacity (expandable to 12 million)
Loading rate: 36,000 tons/day
Discharge rate: 20,000 tons/day
Vessel waiting time reduced to 4–5 hours — minimizing demurrage exposure
Ideal for grains, clinker, fertilizers, coal alternatives, and general dry bulk
The terminal also begins the establishment of environmentally friendly bulk cement silos, enabling Egyptian cement exports to reach the U.S. market for the first time, along with Europe and Africa.
3️⃣ Opening of the East Port Said Automotive Terminal (Toyota Tsusho / SCAT)
A dedicated Ro-Ro terminal designed to handle 22,000 vehicles — making it one of the largest automotive gateways in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Key features:
Specialized berths for Ro-Ro carriers
Optimized yard design for high vehicle throughput
Direct integration with logistics, distribution, and value-added service areas
Partnership with Toyota Tsusho, bringing world-class automotive logistics standards
Why These Projects Matter to Shipowners & Operators
The three inaugurations collectively deliver a significant operational upgrade for the maritime industry:
Increased berth availability across container, bulk, and Ro-Ro sectors
Faster vessel turnaround → reduced port stay → lower cost per call
Highly competitive alternative to regional transshipment hubs
Improved schedule reliability for fixed-service routes
Expanded market for transshipment and feeder connections
Advanced digitalization and green-port practices
Strategic location at the northern entrance of the Suez Canal, offering unmatched proximity to global trade lanes
With these new facilities, East Port Said ascends as one of the most advanced, efficient, and strategically positioned ports in the Mediterranean, offering shipowners and operators superior service quality and measurable cost advantages.