The RoRo line is an Egyptian-Italian strategic cooperation to stimulate trade movement through the gateway of Europe and Africa.
By :Dr. Abdalla Abu Khadra
Within the framework of Egypt’s strategy as a regional center for transportation, logistics and transit trade, the “RoRo” (“roll-on” “roll-off”) sea line was launched between Damietta Port and the Italian port of Trieste, which is a new artery for transporting Egyptian goods to European markets.
A green corridor is being established between the two countries
A green corridor is being established between the two countries to link Egypt and Italy by sea. It is a fast sea transport line for transporting perishable agricultural products between Egypt and Italy using Reefer and dry Bulk carrier and reducing the duration of stay in the port to preserve the safety of the Egyptian product, attract more demand for exporting Egyptian products globally, and open markets for Egyptian exports of agricultural goods in the Italian and European markets, which serves the Egyptian economy
Reducing the time of transporting goods
The RoRo line contributes to reducing the time of transporting goods from 6 days to only two and a half days, as it aims to operate a ship with a capacity of 420 trucks at a rate of one trip per week.
Establish a logistics area
It also aims to establish a logistics area behind Damietta Port, which enhances the competitiveness of the Egyptian product in European markets, and provides a great opportunity for European goods to reach Egyptian and African markets via Egypt, which enhances Egypt’s position as a major link between continents.
Strengthen trade relations with European countries
The RoRo line also works to strengthen trade relations between Egypt and the European Union countries, as Italy is one of the most important countries that receive Egyptian exports, especially fresh agricultural products, from which these goods are distributed to the rest of Europe.
Egypt : Italy’s gateway to Africa
Egyptian ports are also considered Italy’s gateway to Africa and the Gulf countries, which contributes to supporting the Egyptian economy as it contributes to increasing container traffic between Mediterranean ports by about 3.5% annually until 2027, and strengthening Egypt’s unique geographical location between the continents of Asia, Africa and Europe and strengthening its position as a strategic hub in the global trade movement.
Reduces carbon emissions
The RoRo Line reduces carbon emissions by using refrigerated and dry trucks that travel through a sustainable green corridor. It also contributes to reducing shipping and transportation costs compared to traditional means, making Egyptian products more competitive in European and global markets.
Providing many job opportunities
In the contrast ,it also contributes to providing many direct and indirect job opportunities for citizens, as it is expected to provide about 2,000 job opportunities for Egyptian drivers directly, and other job opportunities for workers in transportation companies, shipping companies and shipping agents.
Operates according to a precise schedule
The RoRo line operates according to a precise schedule that has been set, where the ship departs from the Italian port of Trieste every Thursday to arrive at Damietta port on Friday, to load the Egyptian products, then the ship departs on Friday morning heading to the Italian port of Trieste, and arrives on Monday, and from there the goods are transported to Rotterdam in the Netherlands via a dedicated train, to be distributed later to European countries, such as England and Belgium.
The first ship
The OLYMPOS SEAWAYS ship is the first ship of the shipping line to transport goods via the “RoRo line” between the Egyptian port of Damietta and the Italian port of Trieste. It arrived from Italy to Damietta port on Sunday, November 24, 2024, carrying 118 containers, transport trailers and equipment that were unloaded at Damietta port.
9 reefers and 45 containers
The ship will carry on its first trip from Damietta port to Trieste port in Italy 9 reefers containers loaded with vegetables and fruits, 45 containers loaded with clothes, 9 trucks loaded with vegetables and fruits, and 2 trucks loaded with braids.
Reduce transit fees ( dues )
Otherwise ,the Egyptian state is working to enhance the line and its economic operation, as port fees have been reduced by 88%, with the principle of reciprocity being applied, and to reduce transit fees ( dues ) on Egyptian roads and sign all legal documents to operate the line with Italian counterparts (Ports Memorandum – Customs Cooperation Memorandum – Declaration of Intent with the Line on the Ship –
(MoU) between Egypt and Italy
Governmental Agreement for International Transport to Service the “Ro-Ro Line” and Governmental Memorandum of Understanding for Land Transport), in order to overcome any obstacles that may face the operation of the “Ro-Ro Line”, which contributes to increasing trade exchange and strengthening the economic partnership between Egypt and Italy, which will open new horizons for cooperation in other fields such as industry, agriculture and food security, which works to reach products to European and global markets in record time and at the lowest costs.
Egypt’s Vision 2030
The RoRo line between Egypt and Italy works to achieve Egypt’s Vision 2030, which aims to enhance sustainable economic development, achieve regional and international integration, strengthen Egypt’s unique geographical location between the continents of Asia, Africa and Europe,
And enhance its position as a strategic hub in the global trade movement, promote exports, increase trade exchange, develop the infrastructure for transportation and logistics, reduce carbon emissions and promote the use of environmentally friendly roads in the movement of trade and transportation.
Read more :
Turci with Med Roll for the Ro-Ro line between Egypt and Europe
The DFAS line between Trieste and Egypt set sail on its first voyage
December2st : A new line between of Trieste and port of Damietta
