• Egypt receives key handling equipment for Safaga’s new multipurpose terminal

• Facility targets major capacity across containers, bulk, and Ro-Ro cargo

• Project advances despite sharp drop in Suez Canal traffic due to regional tensions

Egypt has received a new batch of cargo handling equipment for the multipurpose terminal under construction at the port of Safaga, as it moves closer to launching commercial operations later this year.

The delivery includes three ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and six rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes, according to Noatum Ports, a subsidiary of AD Ports Group that specializes in operating international port platforms. The equipment marks a key step toward the terminal’s planned start of operations.

Located on the Red Sea, Safaga is positioned as one of Egypt’s main maritime gateways. The new terminal will cover about 810,000 square meters and is designed to handle a wide range of cargo.

Planned annual capacity includes 450,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) for containers, 5 million tons of dry bulk and general cargo, and 1 million tons of liquid bulk. The terminal will also feature roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) facilities capable of handling up to 50,000 units, along with shared logistics areas.

Egyptian authorities say the project will strengthen the country’s connectivity with the Middle East, Africa, and major global shipping routes. It is also expected to support regional and international trade flows while improving port productivity.

The Safaga development is part of a broader national strategy to modernize and expand Red Sea ports, including Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, with the goal of capturing more maritime traffic linked to the Suez Canal.

However, these ambitions are facing headwinds from ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which have disrupted shipping routes since 2023. Since the escalation of the conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran, major shipping companies such as Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and CMA CGM have rerouted vessels around southern Africa, avoiding both the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

According to official data, traffic through the Suez Canal has dropped by nearly 54% between 2023 and 2025.

Henoc Dossa