Egypt Port Development Plan Targets Five New Seaports and 40 Million TEU Capacity

Shipping Arabia, October 24, 2026 – Egypt has unveiled an extensive port development plan to establish five new seaports, increase the number of commercial ports to 19, and expand annual container handling capacity to 40 million TEU. The program also targets significant improvements to maritime infrastructure, cargo handling facilities and logistics connectivity across the country’s Mediterranean and Red Sea ports.

Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir announced the targets during the Egypt 2026 Forum, where he outlined the government’s plans to modernize maritime transport infrastructure and strengthen connections between seaports, inland logistics facilities and major production centers.

The announcement came during a session on urban development attended by Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad, Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities Randa El-Menshawy, members of parliament, industry experts, academics and students.

The Egypt port development plan forms part of a wider transport strategy that includes upgrading existing maritime facilities, expanding the national merchant fleet and developing integrated international logistics corridors.

Egypt Port Development Plan Targets 19 Commercial Seaports

According to El-Wazir, Egypt intends to establish five new seaports while continuing to modernize existing facilities along the Mediterranean and Red Sea coastlines. The expansion will bring the country’s total number of commercial seaports to 19.

The government also plans to increase the combined area of Egyptian ports to 100 million square meters, providing additional space for maritime operations and supporting infrastructure.

A central component of the program involves constructing 70 kilometers of new quays, with water depths ranging from 18 to 25 meters. Once completed, these additions will increase the combined quay length across Egyptian ports to more than 100 kilometers.

The development program also includes constructing 35 kilometers of breakwaters, bringing their total length to 50 kilometers. In parallel, Egypt plans to deepen navigation channels and expand its maritime tugboat fleet to 80 vessels.

Together, these projects aim to strengthen port infrastructure, improve operational efficiency and increase the capacity of Egyptian ports to handle international shipping traffic.

The government has set a target of 40 million TEU in annual container handling capacity, alongside 400 million tons of other cargo annually.

These figures represent the planned handling capacity of Egypt’s port system following the implementation of the development program.

Al Max, Gargoub, Al Arish and Taba Among Priority Port Projects

El-Wazir confirmed that the next phase will focus on completing ongoing port construction and development projects across the country.

He identified Al Max, Gargoub, Al Arish and Taba among the ports covered by the government’s upcoming development priorities. Other port projects will also proceed under the national maritime infrastructure program.

The planned investments will take place alongside improvements to transportation networks serving Egyptian ports, with the objective of facilitating cargo movements between maritime gateways and inland production, storage and distribution centers.

The minister emphasized that improving port infrastructure and its connections to domestic transportation networks is an important part of strengthening Egypt’s maritime transport capabilities.

Egyptian Merchant Fleet Expansion Targets 40 Vessels by 2030

Beyond the development of seaports, Egypt plans to expand its national merchant fleet to 40 vessels by 2030.

According to El-Wazir, all 40 vessels will be wholly owned by companies affiliated with the Ministry of Transport.

The expanded fleet is expected to provide annual cargo transportation capacity of 25 million tons, supporting the country’s requirements for strategic commodities.

The fleet expansion forms another component of Egypt’s maritime development strategy, complementing investments in port facilities and cargo handling infrastructure.

By strengthening both its port system and national merchant fleet, the government aims to improve maritime transportation capabilities and support the movement of essential commodities.

Egypt Develops 33 Dry Ports and Logistics Zones

The maritime development program is accompanied by investments in inland transportation infrastructure, dry ports and logistics facilities.

El-Wazir reported that two land ports have been completed, bringing Egypt’s total number of land ports to nine.

Meanwhile, the government continues implementing a plan to establish 33 dry ports and logistics zones across the country.

The next phase will focus on completing the remaining projects within this program, strengthening integration between maritime terminals and inland transportation infrastructure.

The development of dry ports and logistics facilities is intended to improve cargo handling and distribution while supporting more efficient movement of goods through the national transport network.

These projects will complement the planned expansion of maritime handling capacity and support connections between Egypt’s ports and inland commercial and industrial centers.

Eight International Logistics Corridors to Connect Ports and Production Centers

Egypt has also planned and is implementing eight integrated international development logistics corridors designed to strengthen connections between maritime gateways and domestic economic activities.

The corridors will link ports on the Mediterranean and Red Sea with dry ports, logistics zones, industrial areas, agricultural production centers and mining regions.

According to El-Wazir, the network will integrate highways, conventional railways and Egypt’s high-speed electric railway system to provide more efficient freight transportation routes.

These connections are intended to facilitate cargo movements between ports and production centers while improving access to domestic distribution networks and international markets.

The minister also highlighted the role of the planned logistics corridors in strengthening trade connectivity with Arabian Gulf countries, the Levant, and North, East and Central Africa.

In addition, the program aims to improve connections with European and Asian markets through the northern and southern Arab trade corridors.

The eight logistics corridors form part of the government’s wider strategy to integrate maritime transportation with road and railway infrastructure, allowing cargo to move more efficiently between Egyptian ports and inland economic centers.

With five additional commercial seaports planned, extensive quay construction and a target of 40 million TEU in annual container handling capacity, Egypt’s maritime development program combines port expansion with investments in merchant shipping and inland logistics.

The next phase will focus on completing the identified port projects, expanding dry port infrastructure and advancing the international logistics corridors that connect Egypt’s maritime gateways with regional and global markets.

Source: Al Mal