Container Transshipment

  • Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Plans $22 Million Investment in Three New Yard Cranes

    Shipping Arabia, November 5, 2026 – Egypt’s Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Company is planning a $22 million investment to acquire three new yard cranes at Damietta Port. The procurement aims to modernize container handling equipment, increase terminal capacity and improve operational efficiency as part of the company’s investment plan for the current fiscal year.

    The company, a subsidiary of the Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport, has launched a tender for the equipment, according to government sources cited by Al Borsa. The investment is expected to improve cargo handling productivity, reduce congestion and strengthen the competitiveness of the company’s two terminals.

    Damietta Launches $22 Million Yard Crane Tender

    Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Company has initiated the procurement process for three large yard cranes to upgrade its existing handling equipment and expand operational capacity.

    According to the sources, the tender includes an initial bid security requirement of approximately $750,000 for specialized companies interested in supplying the equipment.

    Technical bids are scheduled to open in early January 2027. Following the opening, the company will evaluate the submitted technical proposals and determine which bidders meet the specified requirements.

    Qualified companies will then proceed to the financial evaluation stage, during which their financial offers will be reviewed before selecting the winning bid. The company will subsequently complete the award and contracting procedures.

    The procurement forms part of the company’s broader investment program to modernize handling equipment and improve its ability to manage container operations, including containers carrying heavy loads.

    New Equipment Aims to Improve Container Handling Efficiency

    The planned yard cranes are expected to increase container handling rates and accelerate cargo movements between vessel berths and terminal storage yards.

    According to the sources, the additional equipment will help streamline internal terminal operations, reduce truck waiting times and limit congestion within Damietta Port.

    Improved cargo handling productivity is also expected to shorten the time vessels spend alongside the berths. This would support more efficient loading and unloading operations while improving the utilization of terminal infrastructure.

    The investment also targets improvements in supply chain efficiency and logistics services. Faster container movements and reduced waiting times could help lower direct and indirect operating costs for customers using the terminal.

    By improving equipment availability and cargo handling performance, the company aims to enhance the reliability and efficiency of its services for shipping lines, transport operators and other port users.

    Equipment Modernization to Support Operational Reliability

    The planned investment forms part of a wider equipment replacement and renewal program at Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Company.

    The program focuses on replacing aging machinery and upgrading operational assets to reduce unexpected equipment failures and improve readiness across terminal operations.

    According to the sources, these improvements are intended to maintain operational continuity and support compliance with internationally recognized port operating standards.

    Modernizing handling equipment is also expected to help the company manage growing operational requirements more efficiently and strengthen service reliability across its facilities.

    The investment therefore combines capacity improvements with equipment renewal, addressing both cargo handling productivity and the operational reliability of existing terminal assets.

    Damietta Port Targets Stronger Mediterranean Competitiveness

    The company expects the equipment upgrades to improve the competitiveness of its two terminals and strengthen their ability to attract additional international shipping lines.

    According to the sources, the modernization program will support opportunities in both container transshipment and direct shipping services.

    Higher handling efficiency, reduced vessel berth times and improved terminal reliability are among the operational improvements expected to support these objectives.

    The company also considers the investment important for strengthening Damietta Port’s position within the Mediterranean maritime trade network.

    By upgrading its container handling capabilities and improving operational performance, Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Company aims to provide more efficient services while supporting the port’s ability to compete for international container traffic.

    Source: Al Borsa

  • Nador West Med Operations Begin as Morocco Launches East Container Terminal

    Shipping Arabia, November 5, 2026 – Morocco has officially launched operations at the East Container Terminal of Nador West Med Port, marking the first operational milestone in bringing the port complex into service. The terminal, operated by Marsa Maroc in partnership with Terminal Investment Limited (TIL), is expected to reach a handling capacity of 3.5 million containers by 2030.

    Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan inaugurated the terminal’s operations under the instructions of King Mohammed VI. During the inauguration, the Crown Prince initiated the first unloading of a container from a commercial vessel, marking the beginning of operational activities at the facility.

    The launch represents a significant step in the development of Nador West Med as a container transshipment hub, supported by investments and partnerships with major international shipping groups.

    East Container Terminal Begins Operations With MAD 5 Billion Investment

    The East Container Terminal features 1,520 linear meters of quay, an 18-meter draft and a land area covering 70 hectares. These facilities form part of the infrastructure developed to support container handling operations at Nador West Med.

    The terminal represents an investment of approximately MAD 5 billion and is designed to reach a handling capacity of 3.5 million containers by 2030.

    Marsa Maroc will operate the facility alongside Terminal Investment Limited, a subsidiary of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

    The partnership brings together Morocco’s port operator and an international container terminal investment company associated with MSC, one of the world’s leading container shipping groups.

    The start of operations at the East Container Terminal marks the initial phase of the broader Nador West Med port complex becoming operational.

    Marsa Maroc Plans West Container Terminal Operations With CMA CGM in 2027

    Beyond the East Container Terminal, Marsa Maroc confirmed that it will operate all terminals within the Nador West Med port complex, with an investment program valued at MAD 10 billion.

    The company’s development plans include operating the West Container Terminal beginning in 2027 through a partnership with CMA CGM Group, another major international container shipping company.

    The West Container Terminal will represent the next stage in the port’s operational development, following the launch of the eastern facility.

    Marsa Maroc also plans to begin operating a general cargo terminal at Nador West Med in 2029, further expanding the types of cargo handling activities available within the port complex.

    Together, these projects establish a phased operational program extending from the initial container terminal launch through the planned introduction of additional terminal facilities.

    Nador West Med Development Targets Container Transshipment

    The launch of the East Container Terminal represents an important step toward Marsa Maroc’s objective of developing Nador West Med into an efficient transshipment hub.

    The company’s partnerships with Terminal Investment Limited and CMA CGM form part of this strategy, bringing major international container shipping groups into the port’s terminal operations.

    Marsa Maroc stated that its teams remain engaged alongside their partners to support the development of Nador West Med and advance its future operational objectives.

    With the East Container Terminal now entering service, attention will turn to the next stages of the port complex, including the planned West Container Terminal operations in 2027 and general cargo terminal operations in 2029.

    Source: Marsa Maroc

    Nador West Med
Back to top button