Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir witnessed the National Navigation Company’s (NNC) handover of two new vessels, “Wadi Al-Nil” and “Wadi Al-Qamar,” from China’s New Hantong Shipyard,one of the world’s largest shipyards specializing in the construction of dry bulk carriers, during his current visit to China.
The vessels were built as part of Egypt’s efforts to modernize and strengthen its commercial fleet and enhance its competitiveness in regional and international markets. The move also supports the government’s plan to establish Egypt as a regional hub for transport, logistics and transit trade.
The handover ceremony was attended by Mohamed Soliman Metwally, Managing Director of the National Navigation Company, and Ming Chengjun, Chairman of Hantong Shipyard. El-Wazir said the delivery reflects the growing Egyptian-Chinese strategic partnership, particularly in the transport sector.
He highlighted cooperation in port development, logistics, railways, green mass transit, digital transformation, smart and green ports, shipbuilding and the development of Egypt’s commercial fleet. The minister noted that cooperation between the National Navigation Company and New Hantong Shipyard began with the construction of the KAMSARMAX dry bulk carrier “Wadi Al-Arish,” which was delivered in January 2024.
In April 2024, the two sides contracted the construction of “Wadi Al-Nil” and “Wadi Al-Qamar,” each with a deadweight capacity of 82,000 tons. A further contract was signed in June 2025 for two additional 82,000-ton vessels, scheduled for delivery by the end of 2028, bringing the total number of vessels under the cooperation program to five.
El-Wazir also called for accelerating the delivery of the 17th and 18th vessels, “Wadi Al-Natrun” and “Wadi Al-Alaki,” to the end of 2027 instead of 2028. He also proposed cooperation in establishing a specialized shipyard in Egypt for commercial vessel repairs, modeled on New Hantong Shipyard.
The minister stressed that Egypt aims to expand its commercial fleet to 40 vessels by 2030, fully owned by companies affiliated with the Ministry of Transport, strengthening the fleet’s capacity to carry a larger share of the country’s foreign trade and increasing the presence of Egyptian-flagged vessels on international shipping routes.