Breaking down Egypt’s agreements in TransMEA 2023: The Egyptian Transport Ministry has inked a slew of agreements on the third day of the ongoing TransMEA 2023 transport expo in Cairo that aim to boost its maritime and logistics sectors, according to several statements (here, here and here). The country also inked more agreements to localize manufacturing for its transport sector.

One caveat: Most of the agreements are in early stages, with economic feasibility studies still ongoing, meaning the exact values of the contracts and how they’ll be funded is still unclear.

IDG snags Kom Abu Radi Dry Port contract: Samcrete Group subsidiary Industrial Development Group (IDG) inked an MoU to establish, manage and operate a dry port in Kom Abu Radi, which will serve the area’s fertilizer, cement, and electronics factories, as well as Supply Ministry-affiliated bulk commodity silos. The port will also be connected by railway line to our main railway network.

What’s next: The company will conduct an economic feasibility study in the next four months, after which it will submit a financial bid, and another more detailed technical proposal in 10 months, according to a press release (pdf).

#3- Two new logistics zones: Orchid Kuwaiti Egyptian Company inked an MoU to set up, operate and manage a logistics zone in 6th October Industrial Zone, with a period of four months slated for the economic and feasibility studies, after which the company will submit a financial bid, the statement said. A Libyan-Egyptian consortium comprising Al Raeid Engineering Consultants and Al Saed Company also inked an agreement to establish, operate and manage a 400-feddan logistics zone in Al Salloum city on the Libyan border, for which the consortium will conduct a feasibility study in two months.

MARITIME-

The Transport Ministry also oversaw a number of agreements signed to help strengthen Egypt’s maritime sector, including a new Egypt-Italy ro-ro line, technical capacity building and port management.

#1- Developing state-owned maritime firms: Cyprus-based Columbia Shipmanagement and Egypt-based Pan Marine Group inked an MoU that will see the companies work on developing Egypt’s state-owned maritime firms by employing a new cohort of 1.5k workers and financing the construction and acquisition of new vessels, the statement said.

#2- Egypt-Italy shipping line: Egypt also inked an agreement with ship operator DFDS Mediterranean for a weekly ro-ro shipping line for perishables between Egypt’s Damietta Port and Trieste port in Italy to boost trade between the countries. The two countries’ customs authorities also inked an agreement to help facilitate shipping processes for the shipping line, the statement said.

#2- Alexandria Port and the Chinese Port of Guangzhouare also partnering up toexchange expertise in port management and smart, green ports.

WATCH THIS SPACE- Omani logistics firm Asyad is eyeing investments in SCZone: Omani state-owned logistics provider Asyad is interested in cooperating on maritime and logistics projects within the Suez Canal Economic Zone, a delegation from the company said on the sidelines of the event.

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