The CEO of DP World Sokhna, Ajay Singh, said that the company is now preparing a timetable to implement the constructions of the second basin in the Ain Sokhna port, noting that all obstacles have been resolved. He added that the company has an ambitious plan to develop the port of Ain Sokhna as one of the most important Egyptian ports, pointing out that the next phase includes the establishment of an integrated logistics area and a general cargo terminal. DP World Sokhna is trying to introduce new services at the port in October. Singh said in previous remarks that the company aims to start passenger transportation services and host roll-on/roll-off ships at the port. He added that the company believes that the new passenger lines will attract European tourism, noting that it will operate a line once a week, starting at Aqaba, leading to Ain Sokhna, and ending at Sharm El-Sheikh. He pointed out that the company has achieved a 1% growth in the market share of handling cargo last year, adding that the company invested $1bn from 2008 until now at the Ain Sokhna port alone. Moreover, Singh said that the port of Ain Sokhna deals with goods that are being imported to or exported by Egypt, and not those which are transiting for distribution to other countries, as in East Port Said, referring to several shipping lines leaving the East Port Said area due to the high fees imposed on maritime activities. DP World Sokhna deals with 14 global shipping lines, including CGM-SMA, PIL, APL, MAERSK, COSCO SHIPPING, WEC LINES, and HAPAG-LIOYD. Singh noted that delivering the second basin at the port will be done according to a timetable currently being negotiated with the Suez Canal Economic Zone. The port capacity reached 14 million tonnes of cargo in 2016.
