The new terminal will support regional trade and transit corridors, connecting Upper Egypt to global markets.

By - Kholoud Adnan 

A new strategic development in the Red Sea maritime sector is expected to reshape regional transport and trade routes. The announcement of trial operations at the Safaga Multipurpose Terminal reinforces the importance of Egyptian ports in global supply chains, especially given the current geopolitical shifts and navigation disruptions in key waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz. 

The concession agreement 

The first port terminal in Upper Egypt to be operated on an international level has been launched. This launch is part of the agreement made between the Red Sea Ports Authority and the Abu Dhabi Ports Group (AD Ports). The thirty-year strategic partnership aims to transform the terminal into a major gateway for import and export activities, supporting mining and industrial operations linked to the Golden Triangle Economic Zone in the southern Nile Valley. 

 The terminal has entered the operational readiness phase

On the operational level, the terminal has entered the operational readiness phase after officials from Egypt’s Ministry of Transport and Abu Dhabi Ports Group (AD Ports) inspected its equipment, security systems, and infrastructure networks. The terminal has already received three giant ship-to-shore cranes and six rubber-tired gantry cranes, reflecting the new facility’s strong capability to handle growing trade volumes. 

First commercial vessels.

 The terminal’s berths demonstrated this readiness in practice as they welcomed their first commercial vessels. One berth received a vessel from the Port of Singapore carrying 5,000 vehicles, while another received a vessel from King Abdullah Port carrying more than 2,600 TEUs. These arrivals confirmed the terminal’s immediate ability to accommodate large vessels, thanks to its berths, which range in length from 1,000 to 1,100 metres and have a depth of up to 17 metres. 

The new terminal is integrated with Egypt’s development vision 

The new terminal is integrated with Egypt’s development vision through its connection to the integrated logistics corridor linking Safaga, Qena, and Abu Tartour. It also relies on the railway network and the third line of Egypt's high-speed electric railway network for cargo transportation. The impact is not limited to the domestic level; it also forms part of the Southern Arab Trade Corridor, which connects Mediterranean ports to Safaga Port and then to NEOM and Jeddah, reaching Gulf and global markets. 

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The terminal is a vital part of the integrated logistics corridor.

 Kamel El-Wazir, the Egyptian Minister of Transport, confirmed that the terminal is a key component of the Safaga–Qena–Abu Tartour integrated logistics corridor, which is one of eight international corridors being implemented by Egypt as part of its plan to become a regional hub for transport, logistics and transit trade. He also noted that the terminal marks the beginning of the international expansion of Egypt’s port sector, as it is part of the Southern Arab Trade Corridor, which links the Gulf region with Europe via Egyptian territory.

Links Gulf countries with global markets.

From Egypt's Mediterranean ports, the route begins its journey, making its way to Safaga Port and then continuing on to the ports of NEOM and Jeddah. This connection ultimately links Gulf countries with global markets. Maritime transport experts believe that Safaga Port's importance in terms of economic development has increased significantly, as it can now serve as an essential alternative route for regional energy and trade flows. 

This is expected to boost Egypt’s share of the global transit trade market and enhance its connectivity with East African countries. It also complements the Group’s other investments in Egypt, such as the KEZAD East Port Said industrial zone and cruise ship services at the ports of Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada

About: Safaga Port

Safaga Port is one of Egypt's most vital Red Sea maritime gateways. Located approximately 60 km south of Hurghada, it serves as a massive logistics, trade, passenger, and cruise hub, connecting Upper Egypt to global markets and serving as the shortest cross-Red Sea route to Saudi Arabia

About: AD Ports Group 

Over the years, AD Ports Group has developed into a premier enabler of trade, industrialisation and economic diversification. It was established by Emiri Decree and is owned by ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies, which has a broad portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy.

AD Ports Group is committed to developing elite trade and logistics solutions. As trade has grown, so have we. Today, we are an integrated business spanning five clusters: Digital; Economic Cities and Free Zones; Logistics; Maritime and Shipping; and Ports, which connect global maritime routes and international trading partners.

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