Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi reviewed progress on a series of strategic port and transport projects on Sunday, directing officials to complete them on schedule and in line with the highest quality standards, as Egypt seeks to strengthen its position as a regional trade and logistics hub.

During a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel Al-Wazir, and senior officials, Al-Sisi received updates on the expansion of Safaga, Damietta, Alexandria, and Sokhna ports, which form a key pillar of the country’s strategy to enhance trade connectivity and logistics services.

Port Expansion as a Cornerstone of Egypt’s Trade Strategy

The four ports highlighted during the meeting serve distinct but complementary roles in Egypt’s maritime network. The Red Sea port of Safaga, located on the western coast of the Red Sea, is a critical gateway for mineral exports and passenger traffic, particularly for pilgrims traveling to and from the holy cities in Saudi Arabia. Its expansion is expected to increase cargo handling capacity and improve turnaround times for vessels, thereby boosting Egypt’s competitiveness in the Red Sea trade corridor.

Damietta Port, on the Mediterranean coast, is one of Egypt’s most modern ports and a key node for container traffic linking Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The ongoing expansion projects aim to deepen the port’s berths, expand its container yards, and enhance its connectivity to the national road and rail networks. Alexandria Port, Egypt’s oldest and largest port, handles a significant share of the country’s general cargo and container trade. The modernization efforts there are focused on upgrading aging infrastructure and streamlining customs and logistics processes.

Sokhna Port, located at the southern entrance of the Suez Canal, has emerged as a major industrial and logistics hub, closely tied to the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Its expansion is a central component of Egypt’s plan to transform the canal region into a global logistics and manufacturing center. The port’s deep-water berths and direct access to the Ain Sokhna industrial zone make it a vital link for exports from Egypt’s growing manufacturing base.

Integrating Maritime, Rail, and Road Networks

The president stressed the importance of developing logistics infrastructure and integrating maritime, rail, and road transport networks to facilitate trade and deepen economic integration, particularly with Arab and African countries. This integrated approach is designed to create seamless supply chains that connect Egyptian ports to inland markets and to regional trading partners.

Egypt’s location at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East, and Europe gives it a unique advantage in global trade. The country already handles a substantial volume of transshipment traffic through the Suez Canal, and the development of efficient hinterland connections is seen as essential to capturing additional value from its geographic position. By linking ports to rail corridors and modern highways, Egypt aims to offer faster and more reliable logistics services for both domestic exports and transit cargo.

High-Speed Electric Railway Network

The meeting also reviewed progress on Egypt’s high-speed electric railway network, the East and West Nile monorail projects, and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system on Cairo’s Ring Road. These mass transit projects are central to the government’s strategy to modernize Egypt’s transport infrastructure and reduce congestion in major urban areas.

Al-Wazir said trial operations on the first line of the high-speed rail network, linking Ain Sokhna, New Alamein, and Marsa Matrouh, are scheduled to begin in September 2026 and continue for six months. This first line will span approximately 660 kilometers, connecting the Red Sea coast with the Mediterranean coast via Greater Cairo. The line is expected to carry both passenger and freight traffic, significantly reducing travel times between key economic zones.

The network’s second and third lines will extend the system to other parts of the country. Al-Wazir said these lines will strengthen links between newly reclaimed agricultural areas, industrial and consumption centres, and export ports, while also supporting tourism, improving population distribution, and creating new development corridors. The second line, for instance, is planned to connect Cairo with Upper Egypt, facilitating movement of goods and people between the densely populated Nile Valley and the rest of the country. The third line is set to link the western desert regions, opening up new areas for agriculture and industry.

Monorail Projects to Transform Urban Mobility

Al-Wazir said the East Nile Monorail is expected to significantly reduce travel times between Greater Cairo, New Cairo, and the New Administrative Capital once it enters service. This monorail line will run from the eastern suburbs of Cairo to the New Administrative Capital, providing a fast and reliable connection for commuters and government employees who work in the new administrative center. The project is expected to carry tens of thousands of passengers per day, easing pressure on existing roads and reducing automobile emissions.

The West Nile Monorail, extending 43.8 kilometres from 6th of October City to Wadi El-Nil Station in Mohandessin with 13 stations, is scheduled to begin operations in 2027. This line will serve the western corridor of Greater Cairo, connecting one of the city’s largest suburbs with the central business district. The monorail is expected to provide a modern, comfortable, and environmentally friendly alternative to private cars and buses for residents of 6th of October City and surrounding areas.

Bus Rapid Transit on Cairo’s Ring Road

The minister also said the second phase of the BRT project on Cairo’s Ring Road is ready for operation and will serve some of the capital’s most densely populated districts. The BRT system uses dedicated lanes for buses, allowing for faster and more reliable service compared to mixed traffic. The Ring Road BRT is designed to integrate with other mass transit modes, including the metro and the monorail, creating a more cohesive urban transport network.

The first phase of the BRT project was launched earlier, and the second phase extends the service to additional stretches of the Ring Road, covering areas such as Shubra El-Kheima, El-Marg, and Nasr City. The BRT is expected to benefit millions of Cairenes, providing an affordable and efficient option for daily commutes. The project is part of a broader effort by the Egyptian government to promote public transportation and reduce the environmental impact of the transport sector.

Road Rehabilitation and Bridge Maintenance

The meeting also reviewed plans to rehabilitate major roads and bridges, including the Western Desert Road linking Giza and Abu Simbel, the expansion of the Aswan-Berenice Highway connecting Upper Egypt with the Red Sea coast, and maintenance work on Cairo’s 6th of October Bridge aimed at easing congestion and upgrading deteriorating road surfaces and expansion joints.

The Western Desert Road is a vital artery that connects the Nile Valley with the far south of the country, facilitating trade with Sudan and other African nations. The rehabilitation project is expected to improve safety and reduce journey times, supporting economic activity in the regions it serves. The expansion of the Aswan-Berenice Highway will provide a shorter route between Upper Egypt and the Red Sea port of Berenice, which has been developed as a new hub for mining and quarrying operations. The highway will also open up the Eastern Desert to tourism and industrial development.

In Cairo, the 6th of October Bridge is one of the longest and most heavily used bridges in the city, carrying daily traffic between the eastern and western banks of the Nile. The maintenance work is designed to address the wear and tear caused by intense use and to improve the bridge’s resilience against future traffic loads. These road projects are part of a wider program to upgrade Egypt’s highway network, which has seen significant investment over the past decade.

Strategic Vision and Environmental Sustainability

Al-Sisi stressed the importance of accelerating the completion of environmentally sustainable mass transit projects, describing them as essential to supporting Egypt’s urban, industrial, and tourism development. The shift toward electric rail and bus systems is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in Egypt’s congested cities. The high-speed rail network, for example, will use electric traction, which is cleaner and more efficient than diesel-powered trains.

The Egyptian government has been working with international partners and financial institutions to fund these large-scale infrastructure projects. The high-speed rail network is being built in cooperation with German and Chinese companies, while the monorail projects involve international consortia. The government has also sought to involve the private sector in the operation and maintenance of some projects, hoping to improve service quality and long-term sustainability.

Egypt’s ambitious infrastructure agenda is closely aligned with its Vision 2030 strategic plan, which seeks to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on traditional sectors. By improving transportation links, the government aims to unlock the potential of underdeveloped regions, create jobs, and boost exports. The ports and rail projects are expected to play a key role in transforming Egypt into a global logistics hub, capitalizing on the country’s strategic location between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.

According to the presidency, Al-Sisi instructed officials to ensure that all transport projects are completed within their planned timelines while maintaining the highest construction, operational, and safety standards. The president’s directive reflects the government’s determination to press ahead with its infrastructure program despite the economic challenges facing the country. The successful implementation of these projects will require close coordination between government ministries, contractors, and financiers, as well as effective oversight to ensure quality and cost control.

The meeting concluded with a review of the overall progress of the national transport master plan, which encompasses more than 100 projects across the country. These include new roads, bridges, ports, railways, and public transport systems, representing billions of dollars in investment. The Egyptian government has made infrastructure development a top priority, viewing it as a driver of economic growth and social welfare. The projects discussed during Sunday’s meeting are set to contribute significantly to Egypt’s long-term prosperity and its ambitions to become a central hub for trade and logistics in the region.

Source:ZAWYA News