SCA places USD 85 mn tugboat order

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) is effectively betting on a near-term normalization of maritime traffic, signing contracts worth some EGP 4.2 bn (c. USD 85 mn) to commission 10 new tugboats, a senior government official tells EnterpriseAM.

This is the first major capex commitment the SCA has made since regional conflicts sent Red Sea traffic plunging and sends the market a signal that the authority is moving from crisis management to recovery mode. By expanding the fleet and expediting maintenance on key dredgers, the SCA is positioning itself for the return of the ultra-large container vessels that drive the bulk of its tonnage fees.

UPA pivots to export facilitation with new digital hub

The Unified Procurement Authority (UPA) launched a new platform yesterday designed to centralize government procurement and open digital pathways for Egyptian manufacturers to access African markets, according to a statement from the authority. The platform integrates the national e-procurement system (MediQ) with a new interface for the Africa CDC.

By aligning data and regulatory standards with African partners, the authority aims to reduce the bureaucratic friction that often hampers Egyptian pharma exports to the rest of the continent. It also cements the UPA’s role as the operator of the Africa CDC’s North African capacity-building hub.

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