Ahram Online: Egypt launched commercial trial operations at the Safaga 2 multipurpose terminal on Tuesday, marking a major step in the expansion of Safaga Port on the Red Sea and the country's efforts to become a regional hub for transport, logistics, and transit trade, Transport Minister Kamel Al-Wazir said.

The launch included the arrival of the first two vessels at the terminal: the UGR Al Samha from Singapore, carrying 5,000 vehicles, and the Sven Prosper from King Abdullah Port, carrying 2,642 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), according to a statement from the Ministry of Transport.

The terminal is being developed in partnership with Abu Dhabi Ports Group. It forms part of Egypt's broader strategy to expand port capacity, attract international shipping lines, and capitalize on its strategic location along major global trade routes.

Minister Al-Wazir said the project would serve as the key gateway for developing Upper Egypt, supporting mining activities in the Golden Triangle region, facilitating imports and exports, and linking industrial and free zones across northern, central, and southern Upper Egypt to international markets, while attracting industrial and logistics investments.

He noted that the facility is a key component of the Safaga–Qena–Abu Tartour logistics corridor, one of eight international logistics corridors being developed by Egypt as part of a national plan to transform the country into a regional logistics centre.

He added that the terminal would strengthen Egypt's role in the proposed Southern Arab Trade Corridor, linking Gulf countries with Europe via Egyptian ports, including Safaga, Neom, and Jeddah.

The project is also expected to enhance trade links with East Africa through an international logistics zone designated by Egypt for African partners, which will support the export and re-export of containerized and non-containerized cargo.

During a tour of the facility, Al-Wazir reviewed cargo-handling operations at the terminal, which is equipped with three ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and six hybrid rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) yard cranes that use smart operating systems to improve efficiency and reduce handling times.

The terminal covers 776,000 square metres, features a 1,100-metre quay and a 17-metre draft, and has an annual handling capacity of approximately 450,000 TEUs, expandable to 2 million TEUs at maximum capacity.

It can also handle 5 million tons of general and dry bulk cargo annually, rising to 7 million tons, as well as 1 million tons of liquid bulk cargo and 50,000 vehicles per year.

Al-Wazir praised cooperation with Abu Dhabi Ports Group, describing it as part of Egypt's strategy to expand partnerships with international private-sector operators and global maritime companies to improve efficiency and attract major shipping lines.

Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, managing director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports Group, said Egypt remains one of the group's most important international markets and a key trade gateway within its global network spanning Asia, the Middle East, Africa and South America.

He noted that the new terminal's strategic location on the Red Sea would strengthen the group's role in facilitating trade along one of the world's most important maritime corridors, adding that full operations are expected to begin later this year.

Egypt has accelerated a nationwide port modernization programme in recent years as part of a strategy to transform the country into a regional hub for transport, logistics, and transit trade under Egypt Vision 2030.

The plan includes expanding port capacity, developing new terminals, attracting major global shipping lines and operators, and integrating seaports with railways, dry ports, and logistics corridors nationwide.

The transport ministry said Egyptian ports handled 11.1 million TEUs in 2025, up 24.3 percent from 2024, driven largely by a 36 percent surge in transit container traffic.

Officials attributed the growth to ongoing investments in port infrastructure and efforts to capitalize on Egypt's strategic location, which links the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, and the Suez Canal.

Recent projects include the opening of Egypt's first semi-automated container terminal at Sokhna Port and the continued expansion of major facilities at Alexandria, Damietta, and the Red Sea ports.

The government said these investments are designed to increase Egypt's share of regional transhipment trade and strengthen its position as a gateway connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa.