El-Samadouni explained that the terminal serves as a regional logistics hub that reinforces Egypt’s position as a pivotal center for transit trade between Asia, Europe, and Africa. He highlighted the terminal’s ability to accommodate mega container vessels and significantly expand the handling capacity of Egyptian ports, supporting exports and contributing to higher national income.
He said that the RSCT terminal is the first of its kind in
Egypt to operate under a fully automated system in line with the highest
international standards. He added that this ensures high operational
efficiency, reduces vessel waiting times, and lowers loading and unloading
costs, directly enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian ports.
El-Samadouni added that the terminal’s combined capacity in
its first and second phases reaches approximately 3.5 million twenty-foot
equivalent units (TEUs) annually. He noted that this capacity is supported by
advanced infrastructure, including six giant ship to shore cranes, 18 automated
rubber tyred gantry cranes, and autonomous trucks. He also stated that the Ain
Sokhna Port basin holds a Guinness World Records certificate as the deepest man
made port basin built on land, with a depth of 18 meters.
He stressed that managing the terminal through a global
consortium comprising major companies such as Hutchison Ports, COSCO Shipping,
and CMA CGM ensures the attraction of leading international shipping lines. He
expected the terminal to generate direct revenues for Egypt amounting to
billions of dollars, in addition to increasing sovereign fees, taxes, and
customs revenues.
El-Samadouni emphasized that the development of Ain Sokhna
Port contributes to reducing demurrage costs previously borne by the state due
to vessel congestion, which had reached around USD 7 billion annually in past
periods. He noted that the terminal represents a key link in the integrated
logistics corridor between Sokhna and Dekheila, with connectivity to railway
networks and the high speed electric rail system to ensure smooth cargo
movement.
He concluded that the launch of commercial operations at
Tahya Misr 1 Terminal at Ain Sokhna Port marks the culmination of the state’s
efforts to implement the directives of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to
transform Egypt into a regional hub for transport, logistics, and transit
trade.