PortsPergypt has significantly expanded its maritime and logistics capabilities with the inauguration of several new seaports within the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), marking a major step in the country’s long-term strategy to modernize its port infrastructure and strengthen its position in global trade.
President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi presided over the opening ceremony in eastern Port Said, describing the development as the result of a decade of continuous investment in logistics and transport. The new expansions form part of a national program that has already upgraded 14 existing ports and led to the construction of five new ones across Egypt’s coastline.
The newly inaugurated facilities are designed to enhance Egypt’s competitiveness in the maritime sector by increasing cargo-handling capacity, reducing vessel turnaround times, and improving connectivity between seaports, industrial zones, and national transport networks. These upgrades also align with the country’s efforts to expand its industrial base, attract foreign investment, and support export-oriented manufacturing inside the SCZone.
A key feature of the expansion is the deepening of shipping berths, the development of new container terminals, and the introduction of advanced digital systems that streamline port operations and logistics management. According to officials, these improvements will enable Egyptian ports to accommodate larger vessels and higher volumes of cargo moving through the Suez Canal, a waterway that already handles more than 12% of global trade.
During the ceremony, President Al-Sisi highlighted the intention of global companies—such as Maersk, one of the world’s leading container carriers—to increase their investment in Egypt’s logistics and port services. This includes expanded partnerships with the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) and new projects focused on container handling, green fuel bunkering, and integrated supply-chain operations.
Industry leaders praised the expansion as a transformative step for the SCZone. Olivier de Noray, Chairman of the Suez Canal Car Handling Company (SCAT) and CEO of AGL Ports, said the newly developed facilities position Egypt to become a platform for automotive logistics and export, alongside broader industrial and trade activities.
Officials noted that the expanded capacity will help Egypt increase trade volumes, support domestic manufacturing, and strengthen economic resilience at a time when global shipping routes face heightened pressure from geopolitical tensions and supply-chain disruptions. The new ports also support Egypt’s broader goal of maximizing value-added activities around the Suez Canal rather than serving solely as a transit corridor.
With these expansions, Egypt aims to consolidate its role as a central hub in global logistics, connecting Africa, the Middle East, and Europe through advanced port infrastructure and a rapidly growing industrial and maritime ecosystem.
