Damietta Container Terminal

Shipping Arabia, October 13, 2026 – Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co. (DCHC) has welcomed MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company’s new HIMALAYA service, establishing a weekly shipping connection linking India with the Eastern Mediterranean through Damietta Container Terminal and extending to Western European ports in Spain and Portugal. The service adds to the terminal’s expanding network of international container shipping connections and supports its efforts to attract additional cargo volumes.

The first vessel operating under the new service, MSC SIENA, arrived at Damietta Container Terminal on Thursday, October 8, 2026, marking the inaugural call of HIMALAYA at the facility. The service will operate on a weekly basis, strengthening the terminal’s connections with international shipping markets.

The introduction of HIMALAYA follows continued marketing efforts by DCHC to attract global shipping lines and expand its portfolio of regular maritime services. According to the company, the addition reflects its operational capabilities, modern infrastructure and ability to accommodate larger container vessels.

MSC Expands Its Service Network at Damietta Container Terminal

The launch of the MSC HIMALAYA service represents a further expansion of cooperation between Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co. and MSC, one of the international shipping lines operating at the terminal.

HIMALAYA is the second new MSC service recently introduced at DCHC, following the addition of the EMUSA service. Together, these developments expand the range of MSC shipping services calling at Damietta Container Terminal and strengthen the commercial relationship between the terminal operator and the shipping line.

DCHC highlighted that the continued expansion of MSC’s services reflects confidence in the terminal’s operational infrastructure and its ability to accommodate the requirements of international container shipping.

The company has continued developing its service network through marketing initiatives aimed at attracting additional global shipping lines and scheduled services. These efforts seek to increase container handling volumes and improve the utilization of the terminal’s infrastructure and operational resources.

The new HIMALAYA connection adds India, the Eastern Mediterranean and Western European ports in Spain and Portugal to the service’s geographical coverage through Damietta.

With weekly calls now scheduled, the service represents another addition to the terminal’s regular shipping activities and its role in handling international container traffic.

MSC SIENA Marks Inaugural HIMALAYA Service Call

The inaugural HIMALAYA service call took place on October 8, when MSC SIENA berthed at Damietta Container Terminal.

To mark the occasion, a delegation from Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co. boarded the vessel and met with its master and crew. The visit formed part of the company’s efforts to maintain close communication and cooperation with shipping lines and the crews of vessels calling at the terminal.

During the visit, the delegation conveyed greetings from Rear Admiral Dr. Rafik Galal, Executive Managing Director of DCHC, and the company’s employees. The delegation welcomed the arrival of MSC SIENA and the introduction of the new weekly service.

The company described the inaugural call as an important addition to the terminal’s maritime service network, supporting its ongoing cooperation with MSC and efforts to expand container handling activities.

DCHC Highlights Infrastructure and Large-Vessel Handling Capabilities

Commenting on the new service, Rafik Galal said the introduction of HIMALAYA represents an important development in the terminal’s shipping network.

He emphasized that DCHC continues to focus on developing its services and maximizing the use of its operational capabilities and modern infrastructure. These efforts are intended to keep pace with changes in vessel sizes and the evolving operational requirements of international shipping lines.

Galal also highlighted the continued expansion of MSC’s services at Damietta Container Terminal as evidence of the strong cooperation between the two companies.

According to the executive managing director, the terminal’s ability to accommodate and operate services involving larger container vessels supports its efforts to attract more shipping connections and increase container throughput.

He added that expanding the terminal’s service portfolio would contribute to strengthening DCHC’s competitiveness and supporting its position as a regional hub for container handling in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The company views the continued development of its maritime services as an important part of its strategy to enhance operational performance and attract additional container traffic.

Supporting Egypt’s Maritime Transport and Logistics Strategy

DCHC stated that its efforts to expand international shipping connections form part of wider initiatives to develop Egypt’s maritime transport and logistics sector.

The company linked its service expansion and infrastructure development activities to the directives of Egypt’s Minister of Transport, Kamel El-Wazir, and the government’s vision of positioning Egypt as a regional and global hub for maritime transport, logistics services and transshipment trade.

Within this framework, DCHC continues working to strengthen the capabilities of Damietta Container Terminal and expand its relationships with international shipping lines.

The addition of HIMALAYA, following the recently introduced EMUSA service, reflects the ongoing development of MSC’s operational presence at the terminal.

Through these new services, Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co. aims to increase container handling volumes, improve the utilization of its facilities and strengthen its competitive position within the Eastern Mediterranean container shipping market.

Source: Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co.

Shipping Arabia, October 10, 2026 – Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co. (DCHC) is seeking to increase vessel calls and expand SFT and SLG feeder services at Damietta Container Terminal following discussions with representatives of the two shipping lines. The talks focused on increasing container throughput, strengthening commercial cooperation and attracting additional maritime services to the Egyptian terminal.

The meeting took place on September 29, 2026, with Xu Liming, regional representative of the owners of Safetrans Line (SFT) and Sea Legend Line (SLG). Karim Hassan, Operations Manager at Badawi Shipping Agency, which represents both shipping lines in Egypt, also attended.

Rear Adm. Dr. Rafik Galal, Executive Managing Director of DCHC, welcomed the delegation and outlined the company’s efforts to strengthen relationships with regional and international container carriers. He emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation and attracting new shipping services to Damietta Container Terminal.

DCHC Targets More Vessel Calls and Container Throughput

A central focus of the discussions was the potential to increase vessel calls by SFT and SLG at Damietta Container Terminal.

According to DCHC, both shipping lines have previously operated a number of voyages to the terminal. The company now aims to increase the frequency of their calls and expand the volume of business handled through its facilities.

Galal highlighted the existing relationship with both carriers and expressed DCHC’s interest in developing further cooperation. Increasing vessel calls and attracting additional services remain key priorities as the company works to strengthen container handling activity.

The discussions also formed part of DCHC’s ongoing commercial and marketing efforts to diversify its customer base. The terminal operator is seeking to attract more regional and international shipping lines while making greater use of its available operational capabilities.

Through these initiatives, DCHC aims to support maritime trade and reinforce its role in serving container shipping activity across the Eastern Mediterranean.

SFT and SLG Shipping Networks and Expansion Opportunities

The meeting included a review of the shipping networks operated by Safetrans Line and Sea Legend Line, with particular attention to their regional and international services.

Safetrans Line (SFT) operates container shipping services connecting Asia with several major maritime regions. Its network includes the Mediterranean, Black Sea and Northern Europe, covering both regional and international container transport.

Sea Legend Line (SLG), meanwhile, provides shipping connections between Asian markets, the Mediterranean, Red Sea and European markets.

The company is pursuing the expansion of its regional and international services, with a particular focus on strengthening its presence in the Mediterranean.

These networks formed part of the discussions on potential cooperation at Damietta. DCHC is seeking to expand SFT and SLG feeder services while encouraging both carriers to increase their operations at the terminal.

The proposed expansion would build on the shipping lines’ previous calls at Damietta rather than establish an entirely new relationship.

Delegation Reviews Damietta Terminal Operations

Following the meeting, the visiting delegation conducted a field tour of Damietta Container Terminal.

The tour covered the terminal’s berths and container yards, allowing representatives of SFT and SLG to review its operational systems, handling capabilities and available equipment.

DCHC presented the terminal’s operational facilities as part of its efforts to demonstrate its capacity to accommodate additional maritime services.

The visit also provided an opportunity to strengthen direct engagement between the terminal operator, the shipping lines and their Egyptian shipping agent.

DCHC considers such engagement an important element of its strategy to attract additional customers and support future growth in container handling activity.

Supporting Egypt’s Maritime and Logistics Strategy

The discussions with SFT and SLG form part of DCHC’s wider efforts to attract additional maritime services and strengthen its position within the Eastern Mediterranean container shipping market.

The company is targeting higher handling volumes, more frequent vessel calls and stronger relationships with international and regional shipping lines.

According to DCHC, these efforts follow directives from Egypt’s Minister of Transport, Kamel El-Wazir, and support the country’s broader maritime development strategy.

That strategy seeks to position Egypt as a regional and global hub for maritime transport, logistics services and transit trade.

For DCHC, expanding cooperation with existing shipping line customers represents one avenue for supporting these objectives. The company aims to build on its established relationships with SFT and SLG while continuing to pursue new maritime services and additional container traffic through Damietta Container Terminal.

Source: Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co. (DCHC)

Shipping Arabia, September 20, 2026 – Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Company is simultaneously handling four containerships involving 6,395 container moves, including two 368-meter Yang Ming mother vessels, highlighting the terminal’s capacity to manage large mainline ships alongside feeder operations.

The four vessels are being worked across the terminal’s container berths 1 to 6, which extend for a combined 1,450 meters.

Yang Ming’s YM Wellhead, measuring 368 meters with a draught of 15.8 meters, is alongside berths 1-2 for an operation involving 2,387 moves. Sister vessel YM Window, also 368 meters long and drawing 13.8 meters, is being handled at berths 2-3 with 2,386 moves.

The two mother vessels are operating alongside feeder services. Maersk’s 175-meter AS Sara is at berth 4 for 1,122 moves, while the 140-meter Jona Sophie, operated by United Feeder Services (UFS), is at berth 5 for a further 500 moves.

Together, the four operations represent 6,395 moves across the terminal, combining mainline and feeder activity within the same operational window.

Rear Adm. Dr. Rafik Galal, Executive Managing Director of Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Company, said the dimensions of the vessels currently alongside remain below the terminal’s maximum operational capability.

The terminal has previously handled containerships approaching 400 meters in length with draughts of up to 16.10 meters, supported by berth development and deepening works and investment in additional ship-to-shore (STS) and rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes.

Galal said the infrastructure and equipment programme is intended to improve handling efficiency and maintain the terminal’s ability to accommodate newer generations of ultra-large containerships.

The continued development forms part of Egypt’s wider port and logistics strategy, with Damietta strengthening its capacity to serve mainline and feeder networks in the Eastern Mediterranean and support growing transshipment activity.

Source: Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Company