Shipping Arabia, September 23, 2026 – Egypt and Senegal are studying the launch of a commercial shipping service between Alexandria and Dakar, aimed at strengthening maritime trade between Egypt and West Africa and creating more efficient routes for cargo moving between the two markets.
The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Egyptian Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir and Senegalese Minister of Fisheries, Maritime Transport, Infrastructure and Ports Amy Mara Deye, alongside officials from both countries.
The proposed Alexandria-Dakar maritime link is intended to increase bilateral trade while providing Egyptian exporters with improved access to West African markets and supporting the movement of Senegalese products toward Middle Eastern and Arab markets.
Discussions also covered cooperation in the construction of fishing vessels and boats, drawing on the shipbuilding and repair capabilities of Egyptian shipyards.
Maritime training and workforce development formed another part of the talks, with the two countries considering programmes through specialized institutions including the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) to train Senegalese personnel in maritime transport, port infrastructure and related activities.
El-Wazir said Egypt is seeking to translate its maritime relationship with Senegal into commercial projects, with the proposed Alexandria-Dakar service potentially serving as a starting point for broader cooperation in shipping, trade and investment between Egypt and West Africa.
Deye expressed Senegal’s interest in expanding transport cooperation with Egypt and drawing on Egyptian experience in maritime infrastructure, shipbuilding and training.
The two sides agreed to establish a joint working committee involving officials from both transport ministries to develop the final framework for a maritime cooperation agreement, which is expected to be prepared for signature at a later stage.
If implemented, the Alexandria-Dakar service would add a new direct maritime connection between the Eastern Mediterranean and West Africa, supporting efforts to expand intra-African shipping connectivity and diversify regional trade corridors.
Source: Ministry of Transport – Egypt
