The Ministry of Transport has upgraded the alert to the highest level and around the clock at the Red Sea ports in coordination with all the health authorities of Suez, South Sinai and the Red Sea, in preparation for the arrival of the Egyptian workers returning from Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Gulf. Minister of Transport Mohamed Mansour yesterday said that all quarantines were provided with thermal detectors and other necessary equipment to examine the passengers, in preparation for the pilgrimage season and the return of the expatriate workers. He said the ministry has coordinated with the concerned authorities of the ports (Customs - Passport Control - Port Police - Import Control) to speed up the travel procedures so as to avoid crowds. He added that this is taking place under the supervision of the Higher Commission that is following up the pilgrimage.
He said there are 18 ferries operating between the Red Sea ports (Safaga - Hurghada - Nuweiba) and those in Saudi Arabia (Jeddah - Yanbu - Duba) and Jordan (Aqaba). 15 ferries have a total capacity of 13,500 passengers, while three have a total cargo capacity of 150 trucks. They all operate according to the tables drawn up by the ministry as to the dates and timings for sailing. He has further explained that there are 8 ferries with a capacity of 8700 passengers operating in Safaga, as well as one with a capacity of 50 trucks, while the port of Hurghada has 3 ferries with a total capacity of 1300 passengers, and the port of Nuweiba has 4 with a total capacity of 3500 passengers and 2 ferries with a total cargo capacity of up to 100 trucks. For his part, General Mamdouh Deraz, Chairman of Red Sea Ports Authority, said the export/import flow in all Red Sea ports reached 1.2 million tons of goods in May, an increase of 155,000 tons compared to the same period last year, which means that the precautions taken by the government vis-à-vis the global financial crisis have achieved the objective of protecting our economy.
He said the passenger flow during the same period was also high, reaching 103,000 passengers through the ports of Safaga, Hurghada and Nuweiba on board 148 ferry journeys carrying 26,000 pilgrims, and 91 journeys carrying 38,000 tourists.
