Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly visited Ain Sokhna Port on Thursday to inspect the progress of its expansion and development project, accompanied by senior officials. The visit comes as part of the government's commitment to transforming Egypt into a leading logistics and trade hub. The prime minister emphasised that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has prioritised port development, highlighting the government's close monitoring of the project to ensure its swift completion. "We are working diligently to complete this project as soon as possible and integrate it into Egypt's logistics network," Prime Minister Madbouly said. Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel El-Wazir outlined the strategic importance of the Ain Sokhna Port expansion, calling it a crucial component of the Sokhna-Dekheila Logistics Corridor. This corridor is part of Egypt's vision to create an integrated transport axis connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, allowing for smoother and more efficient trade flows. Rapid Progress with Nearly 96% Completion During the tour, Project Director Mohamed Khalil provided a detailed update on the ongoing construction: * 95 per cent of dry excavation is complete * 100 per cent of quay construction is finished * 99.5 per cent of wave barriers are in place * 85 per cent of internal roads are built * 60 per cent of railway infrastructure (electric and diesel) is completed * 60 per cent of utilities (electricity, water, sewage) are installed * 40 per cent of administrative buildings, fences, and gates are built * 93 per cent of dredging works (70 million cubic metres) are completed * Overall project completion stands at 96 per cent Additionally, Hutchison Container Terminal, a key facility in the port's expansion, has fully completed its infrastructure, while 20 per cent of its superstructure is in place. Minister El-Wazir outlined the ambitious scope of the 29 km2 port expansion, which includes: * 5 new basins * 18 km of deep-water quays with depths of 18 metres * 9.2 million square metres of cargo handling areas * 5.2 square kilometres of logistics zones * 17 kilometres of concrete-paved internal roads * 30 km of railway connections, seamlessly linked to Egypt's high-speed electric train network He stressed that the expansion is designed to position Ain Sokhna as a global maritime hub, increasing Egypt's share of the international transit trade market. The development is also part of a broader government strategy to modernize and optimize port operations. Strategic Partnerships to Boost Egypt's Global Trade Role To ensure success, El-Wazir said Egypt has formed key partnerships with leading global shipping and container terminal operators. These collaborations are expected to increase international shipping traffic to Egyptian ports, enhance operational efficiency, and expand transit trade capacity. "The Ain Sokhna Port expansion is not just about infrastructure—it's about establishing Egypt as a regional and global logistics powerhouse," Minister El-Wazir stated. He reaffirmed that these efforts align with President El-Sisi's vision to make Egypt a premier center for transportation, logistics, and international trade. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
