Egypt is looking to expand its maritime transport fleet to include 36 vessels by 2030 in a bid to transport 25 mn tons of essential goods to the local market, Asharq Business Egypt reports, citing comments made by Egypt’s Deputy Transport Minister Nihad Shahin.

An upgrade to the plan? Egypt revealed plans back in April to expand its maritime fleet to 31 ships by 2030. Egypt’s National Shipping Company has inked a contract with China-based Hantung Arsenal Company for two 82k-ton dry-dock ships, which are slated for delivery in 2026. The country’s national commercial fleet is now composed of 14 vessels that transport strategic imported goods.

More timelines revealed: Egyptian port development projects are expected to be completed by 2025 in a bid to increase the country’s handling capacity from 12 mn containers to 40 mn containers, Shahin added.

Expansions are on the horizon: Egypt’s fleet expansion is part of the country’s efforts to position itself as a logistics and trade hub. Egypt added a new dry bulk ship with a total tonnage of 82k to its commercial fleet back in January. Egyptian Transport Minister Kamel El Wazir held meetings back in September with private sector players in the maritime transport sector and drew up plans to attract Belgian companies to invest in our maritime fleet.

And port developments are in full swing: The Alexandria Port Authority is gearing up to hand over two maritime terminals in Dekheila Port to local and foreign operators before the end of the year. Egypt’s Transport Ministry has received approval from the government to proceed with contracting an unnamed company to finance, design, establish, manage, and maintain the planned dry port and logistics zone in Borg El Arab. New Suez Canal for Dry Ports and Logistics Services is also holding talks with entities including the National Initiative for Developing Egyptian Industry (Ebda) over financing the superstructure of the East Qantara Dry Port.

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