Shipping Arabia, October 19, 2026 – Egypt’s Alexandria Port Authority has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China’s Xiamen C&D to develop a specialized dry bulk terminal at El Max Port. The project forms part of the Greater Alexandria Port development and the Sokhna–Alexandria logistics corridor, supporting Egypt’s plans to expand port capacity and strengthen its position in international maritime trade.
The proposed El Max Port dry bulk terminal will be the first of four terminals currently under development at the port. It will feature infrastructure designed to accommodate large bulk carriers, alongside specialized cargo handling, storage and logistics facilities.
Egyptian Minister of Transport Kamel El-Wazir witnessed the signing ceremony, attended by senior ministry officials and representatives of the Chinese company.
The MoU was signed by Alexandria Port Authority Chairman Ehab Salah and Xiamen C&D Managing Director and CEO Liu Rongdian.
El Max Port Dry Bulk Terminal to Accommodate Mega Vessels
The project involves developing a specialized terminal for non-clean dry bulk cargo, primarily serving industrial activities that depend on the efficient movement of bulk materials.
According to the Ministry of Transport, the proposed development includes two main berths designed to accommodate large bulk carriers. Once the project is completed, the terminal is expected to have the capacity to receive up to three mega vessels simultaneously.
The development plan also includes expandable storage yards, silos and advanced cargo handling facilities. These installations will support the reception, storage and movement of industrial bulk commodities through the port.
During the signing ceremony, officials reviewed the proposed technical plans for developing marine berths capable of handling high-capacity vessels. The discussions also covered storage infrastructure and cargo handling equipment needed to support the terminal’s future operations.
The Ministry of Transport said the project would strengthen Alexandria’s ability to accommodate large commercial vessels while expanding its specialized dry bulk handling capabilities.
Integrated Rail and Road Connections to Support Cargo Flows
A central component of the El Max Port development is the integration of maritime operations with Egypt’s national rail and road transport networks.
The proposed terminal will include a logistics center designed to facilitate truck movements and improve the handling of cargo entering and leaving the port. In addition, stronger connections to the national railway network will support freight transportation between the terminal, industrial zones and major production and consumption centers.
El-Wazir emphasized that the integration of maritime, rail and road transport would improve cargo movement efficiency and help reduce supply chain costs.
The development is also intended to improve the transportation of raw materials and finished products, particularly for industries that depend on high-volume bulk cargo movements.
According to the minister, the project will support the competitiveness of Egyptian exports, especially in the cement, steel and heavy industries sectors.
The planned infrastructure forms part of the wider Greater Alexandria Port project, which is a major component of the Sokhna–Alexandria logistics corridor. The corridor is intended to improve transport integration and strengthen connections between Egypt’s maritime gateways and inland logistics networks.
Thousands of Jobs and Environmental Management Measures
El-Wazir said the development is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities during construction, development and subsequent operations.
The anticipated employment benefits extend beyond terminal operations to transportation, logistics, storage and supporting industrial services.
The minister also highlighted the project’s environmental requirements. According to the Ministry of Transport, the technical plan incorporates an advanced environmental management system designed to comply with international standards.
The development forms part of Egypt’s broader efforts to modernize its seaports, attract foreign investment and expand private sector participation in maritime infrastructure.
El-Wazir said these investments align with Egypt Vision 2030 and the government’s objective of developing the country into a regional hub for transport, logistics and transit trade.
He added that improving maritime infrastructure and establishing integrated logistics areas would enhance the role of Egyptian ports in international trade and strengthen their integration into global supply chains.
Xiamen C&D Eyes Further Cooperation in Ports and Shipbuilding
During the signing ceremony, Xiamen C&D Managing Director and CEO Liu Rongdian reaffirmed the company’s commitment to advancing the project in cooperation with Egyptian authorities.
Liu referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Egypt and his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, highlighting the role of bilateral relations in encouraging Chinese investment across various Egyptian economic sectors.
He said these developments had created opportunities for Chinese companies to invest in transport, logistics and industries associated with the transportation sector.
Liu thanked Egypt’s Ministry of Transport for its confidence in Xiamen C&D and its support for cooperation with the company.
He also expressed the company’s ambition to develop the terminal into one of the Mediterranean region’s major maritime and port infrastructure projects.
The Chinese executive emphasized the importance of working closely with Egyptian partners to advance implementation as efficiently and quickly as possible.
Looking beyond the current MoU, Liu identified opportunities for additional cooperation, including the development of other port terminals and projects related to commercial shipbuilding.
He said such initiatives could further strengthen cooperation between Egypt and China in transportation, industrial development and supply chain activities.
The El Max Port dry bulk terminal represents the initial phase of a four-terminal development program at the port, forming part of Egypt’s wider plans to expand maritime handling capacity and develop integrated logistics infrastructure.
Source: Egyptian Ministry of Transport
