Minister of Transport Kamel el Wazir inspected on Saturday, May 23, 2026, Ain Sokhna Port development and expansion project, which is deemed one of the key components of the integrated Sokhna–Alexandria logistics corridor for container transport linking the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.
The visit, according to a Transport Ministry statement, falls within the framework of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s directives to develop all Egyptian ports as part of efforts to transform Egypt into a regional hub for transport, logistics and transit trade.
The minister was received by Chairman of the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone Walid Gamal El-Din, Deputy Transport Minister for Maritime Transport Nehad Shaheen, Director of the Ain Sokhna Port Development Project Mohamed Khalil, and Assistant Transport Minister for Maritime Transport Mohamed Fathy.
The tour began with Wazir inspecting the port’s main administrative building, where he listened to a briefing by Mohamed Khalil on the progress of works at the facility. Khalil confirmed the readiness of the three-story administrative building, which spans 12,500 square meters and includes fully equipped offices and a crisis management hall overlooking the port.
The minister then headed to Red Sea Container Terminal 1, the first operational terminal within the port development project, which is managed by a consortium comprising Hutchison Ports, CMA CGM and COSCO Shipping. The terminal has been commercially operational since mid-January and witnessed the arrival of the vessel CMA CGM Centaurus 2200 during the visit.
Wazir reviewed operations at the terminal, which has so far received 24 vessels from major international shipping lines, including 13 vessels from CMA CGM, nine from COSCO and two from OVP. During the tour, the transport minister stressed the strategic importance of the terminal, noting that it was established and operated as part of Egypt’s broader port modernization plan aimed at positioning the country as a regional center for logistics and transit trade in line with presidential directives.
He highlighted the role of port development in reinforcing Egypt’s leadership as a global trade and logistics hub while maximizing the benefits of the country’s strategic geographic location and supporting the state’s comprehensive development plans. Wazir added that the terminal is fully automated and operated according to the highest international standards by a global operator, enhancing Ain Sokhna Port’s ability to receive major international shipping lines and strengthening Egypt’s position in global supply chains.
The Minister noted that the Transport Ministry is implementing a comprehensive strategy to establish strategic partnerships with leading international container terminal operators and shipping lines.