The partnership agreement was formalized by Ms. Christine Cabau Woehrel, Executive Vice President of Assets and Operations at CMA CGM, and Engineer Ahmed Elsewedy, President, CEO, and Managing Director of Elsewedy Electric. The signing ceremony was also attended by Engineer Sayed Metwally, Head of the General Authority for Land and Dry Ports.
The collaboration is strategically aimed at improving the
dry port's operational efficiency, optimizing the flow of goods, and delivering
integrated and seamless logistics solutions to businesses operating within
Egypt's burgeoning industrial areas.
During the signing ceremony, Minister El-Wazir underscored
Egypt's dedication to fostering partnerships with global entities, recognizing
CMA CGM as a vital strategic ally. He cited the company's successful management
of the Tahya Misr Multipurpose Terminal in Alexandria Port and their ongoing
collaboration in Sokhna Port as examples of this fruitful relationship. The
Minister urged CMA CGM to expand their investments in Egypt, emphasizing the
country's promising investment landscape and the substantial progress within
the transport sector under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
The terminal's vital role in maritime transport, global
commerce, and transit trade. He also mentioned ongoing collaboration at the
Sokhna Port through CMA CGM's involvement in a global consortium.
Minister El-Wazir urged CMA CGM to expand its investments in
Egypt, highlighting the country's promising investment climate. He emphasized
that this dry port collaboration, involving both a global and a local private
sector entity, aligns with presidential directives to maximize private sector
participation in national projects. This partnership also supports President
El-Sisi's vision of establishing Egypt as a regional transportation, logistics,
and transit hub. This vision is being realized through the development of seven
integrated logistics corridors connecting production centers with seaports,
linking Red Sea and Mediterranean ports, and serving new urban communities via
integrated rail and highway networks that include strategically located dry
ports and logistics zones. The ultimate goal is to transform seaports into
efficient container handling centers, moving beyond mere storage. This
initiative is further bolstered by the Ministry of Transport's establishment of
33 dry ports and logistics zones nationwide, key components of these logistics
corridors.
The Minister further elaborated on the significance of these
logistics corridors, noting their alignment with global efforts to boost
international trade. He highlighted Egypt's strategic geographical location,
its extensive 3000 km coastline along the Mediterranean and Red Seas, its 18
commercial seaports capable of handling mega-ships, and its skilled workforce
as crucial elements for the success of these projects.
Minister El-Wazir also emphasized the increasing importance
of the 6th of October Dry Port partnership, particularly with the completed
railway connection to Alexandria Port and the establishment of a container train
loading station at the Tahya Misr Terminal. This rail link will integrate the
6th of October Dry Port with Egypt's entire network of seaports.
He further stated that the partnership with CMA CGM will
significantly facilitate import and export activities, aiming to alleviate
congestion at seaports through rapid and efficient customs procedures operating
on an advanced digital platform.
Ms. Christine Cabau Woehrel commented, "We are proud to
embark on this new partnership with Elsewedy 6th of October Dry Port, a unique
opportunity to advance low-emission transport solutions in Egypt through
effective rail connectivity. This investment underscores CMA CGM's long-term
commitment to Egypt's supply chain growth, strategically combining our global
maritime network, our Alexandria and Sokhna terminal investments, and our
capability to deliver efficient door-to-door solutions, unlocking new
possibilities for their evolution."
Engineer Ahmed Elsewedy added, "The inclusion of CMA
CGM as a partner significantly advances the establishment of the 6th of October
Dry Port as a pivotal national and regional logistics hub. Our shared vision
for sustainability and efficiency amplifies this collaboration's impact,
strengthening Egypt's position as a regional logistics center and bolstering
national objectives for industrial growth, sustainable development, and
seamless global trade integration."
Under this partnership, CMA CGM will leverage ODP's state-of-the-art facilities to serve its growing customer base in Greater Cairo and Upper Egypt by providing integrated inland transport, customs clearance, and advanced logistics services. The Group's existing operation of the "Tahya Misr" container terminal in Alexandria Port further solidifies its strategic presence in Egypt and the Mediterranean, particularly through sustainable and innovative multimodal connectivity. CMA CGM will offer regular round-trip train services linking Alexandria and Ain Sokhna ports with Greater Cairo, enhancing the competitiveness of multimodal transport solutions for clients nationwide.