Despite the challenges we all face during the current pandemic, Hutchison Ports has maintained its focus to enhance its port operations to global customers and expand its portfolio.

On 27th August 2020, Hutchison Ports signed a long-term agreement with the Egyptian Navy to develop and operate a new container terminal at Abu Qir, Egypt. The online signing ceremony took place with the management team joining from Egypt, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. The new terminal will have a handling capacity of 2 million TEU upon completion and a total quay length of 1,200 metres with a draft of 18 metres capable of handling mega vessels of the future. The project includes provision for a 60-hectare container terminal yard, and an additional 100 hectares of land exclusively reserved for future expansion.

The location of the new terminal is inside the Abu Qir Naval Base and the greenfield site will be connected to a new six lane highway, with a direct link to the city of Alexandria some 20 kilometres away. The highway is part of the national road network providing access to the capital city of Cairo and other major cities across the country.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, His Excellency Ahmed Khaled Saied said, “Today is a special day for us. The development of Abu Qir signifies the continuation of our successful partnership with Hutchison Ports, the world’s renowned port investor and operator. We are seeing an increase in export cargoes, there is a need for a world-class container terminal to facilitate growing trade. This also echoes with the President EI Sisi’ Egypt Vision 2030 of regional leadership and sustainable development.”

“We have been investing in Egypt since 2005, and it has always been an important market to us justified by the country’s growing population and economy that are fuelling container trade,” said Eric Ip, Group Managing Director of Hutchison
Ports.

The overall investment in the terminal is estimated to reach US$730 million. The new terminal has a concession for 38 years and funded by the joint investment of the two partners in phases. The first phase is expected to commence operations in 2022.

Eric Ip, Group Managing Director, Hutchison Ports

‘We believe in the potential of Egypt, it has an ancient civilisation, but with a very young and energetic population.’

‘I am confident that this country will have very strong growth and reach its economic and development goals. And we want to participate in this growth era in the coming 38 years during the concession of this project.’

‘We are determined to invest in Egypt and I am glad to be here today to mark the beginning of this project.’

His Excellency Commander in Chief Vice Admiral Ahmed Khaled Saied, Egyptian Navy

‘I am personally committed (including the Egyptian Navy) to very much make this project one of the strongest projects we have developed in this area.’