Abu Dhabi Ports signs MoU for Multipurpose Terminal
Logistics group Abu Dhabi Ports has signed a strategic partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Transportation to develop a new multipurpose terminal in Safaga Port.
The proposed project will create a new hub for breakbulk handling on the Egyptian Red Sea coast and is expected to drive wider investment in heavy-lift infrastructure in the region. As part of this aim, Abu Dhabi Ports signed a memorandum of understanding with the Egyptian Group for Multipurpose Terminals, or EGMPT, the commercial arm of the Egyptian Ministry of Transportation.
“We are pleased to sign this MoU with the Egyptian Group for Multipurpose Terminals, which falls in line with AD Ports Group’s efforts to promote trade relations with Arab sister nations, as well as our commitment to expand regional and global reach as a leading enabler of global trade and logistics,” said Saif Al Mazrouei, head of ports cluster, Abu Dhabi Ports Group.
End-to-end Services
Under the terms of the MoU, the partners will explore investment opportunities and conduct feasibility and local market studies for the site in the east of Egypt.
“The strategic location of Safaga Port on the Red Sea holds great potential for a significant role within the global supply chain,” Al Mazrouei added. “We are confident that the cooperation will prove beneficial for both sides, as it combines the unique characteristics of Safaga Port with the longstanding expertise offered by AD Ports Group in managing and operating maritime terminals, along with the Group’s extensive capabilities in delivering end-to-end services across the entire supply chain.”
Established in 2006, state-owned Abu Dhabi Ports operates sevral clusters covering ports, industrial cities and free zone, maritime, logistics and digital in the Middle East. The group’s portfolio includes the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) and ZonesCorp, the largest integrated trade, logistics, and industrial business grouping in the Middle East.
Cross-border Connections
The partners completed signing of the agreement on the sidelines of the 4th Smart Transport, Logistics & Traffic Fair & Forum in Nasr City, Cairo. Supported by the Minister of Transport, the event is part of a push by the Egyptian government to modernize infrastructure across the country as it aims to open "new markets for Egyptian exports via direct maritime routes" across the Arabian Gulf, East Asia, and Africa regions.
Rear Admiral Abdul Qadir Darwish, Chairman of EGMPT, highlighted the MoU as “a promising starting point for further collaborations,” noting that a number of beneficial services connecting Egypt with Abu Dhabi were in the works.
“The investment environment in Egypt is rich with opportunities, and it is crucial that we advance and enhance seaports in Egypt so that they become centres for further commercial development, and competitive with other international ports,” Darwish said, “In turn, this will greatly benefit our nation’s national economy.”
EGMPT was established as an Egyptian joint stock company, comprising Alexandria Seaport General Authority, Suez Canal Authority and Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport. The joint venture is tasked with designing, building and managing a multipurpose terminal in docks no. 55 to 62 in Alexandria seaport.
