World Maritime Day

Shipping Arabia, September 26, 2026 – Egypt’s Red Sea Ports Authority has received the Excellence Award for Advancing Maritime Tourism during the country’s World Maritime Day 2026 celebrations in Alexandria, recognizing its efforts to support maritime tourism and improve services across its ports.

Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir presented the award to Red Sea Ports Authority Chairman Maj. Gen. Mohamed Abdel Rahim during the event, which brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Transport, the maritime transport sector, Egyptian port authorities and other organizations involved in the country’s maritime industry.

The recognition reflects the authority’s work to strengthen maritime tourism and improve the level of services available at its ports. It also comes as Egypt continues to develop port infrastructure, raise operational efficiency and make greater use of the country’s maritime and tourism assets.

Red Sea Ports Support Maritime Tourism Growth

The Red Sea Ports Authority said the award highlights the role its ports play in supporting maritime tourism as a key component of Egypt’s wider maritime transport and tourism system. Their geographic location and connections to international shipping routes also strengthen their importance within this activity.

The authority is continuing to improve port efficiency and develop services for vessels, passengers and tourists. It also aims to make better use of the maritime and tourism potential available across its ports.

Abdel Rahim said the award represents recognition of the efforts made by employees across the authority to improve performance and develop port services. He also highlighted the continued support of the Ministry of Transport and its direction to strengthen port operations and maximize the use of available capabilities.

Award Aligns With World Maritime Day Theme

The recognition was presented during Egypt’s World Maritime Day 2026 celebrations, held under the theme “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.”

The International Maritime Organization introduced the theme for 2026 and 2027 to emphasize the importance of translating maritime policies and standards into practical measures that produce tangible results across ports and the wider maritime sector.

The Red Sea Ports Authority said the award reflects that approach by recognizing practical efforts to develop maritime tourism and improve the services offered through its ports.

Port Development Supports Wider Transport Strategy

Abdel Rahim said maritime tourism represents an important area for increasing the value generated from the capabilities of Red Sea ports. The authority will therefore continue working to improve efficiency and develop services that meet the needs of vessels, passengers and tourists.

These efforts also support Ministry of Transport plans to build a more advanced maritime transport system and strengthen the competitiveness of Egyptian ports.

The authority said its work forms part of a broader approach to improve integration between trade, transport and maritime tourism while increasing the economic return from Egypt’s maritime location.

Source: Red Sea Ports Authority

Shipping Arabia, September 25, 2026 – Damietta Port Authority has received an Exceptional Courage Award for its emergency response to an incident involving two regasification and storage vessels at the Egyptian port, where teams contained the situation while maintaining the safety and continuity of port operations.

The award was presented during Egypt’s World Maritime Day 2026 celebration in Alexandria, held under the theme “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.”

Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir presented the award to Rear Adm. Tarek Adly Abdullah, Chairman of Damietta Port Authority, recognizing port personnel involved in responding to the incident.

According to the authority, teams acted rapidly to contain the situation involving the two vessels, helping prevent potentially serious consequences while protecting port facilities and allowing operations to continue.

The response involved coordination between different port departments and relevant authorities, with the award recognizing the personnel involved for their emergency preparedness, decision-making and response under exceptional operating conditions.

Damietta Port said the incident demonstrated the importance of emergency readiness alongside infrastructure and capacity development, particularly the ability of ports to protect personnel, vessels and facilities while maintaining operational continuity.

Abdullah said the recognition reflected the collective response of the port teams involved and would support further efforts to strengthen Damietta’s safety and emergency management capabilities.

The award was presented as part of Egypt’s World Maritime Day activities, which brought together senior government, port and maritime officials to highlight operational performance, safety, sustainability and the continued development of the country’s maritime sector.

Source: Damietta Port Authority

Shipping Arabia, September 24, 2026 – Egyptian ports handled 233 million tonnes of cargo and 11.1 million TEUs in 2025, as the country advances a major port and logistics expansion programme aimed at strengthening its position in regional transport, transshipment and global shipping networks.

The figures were announced by Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir during Egypt’s World Maritime Day 2026 event in Alexandria, held under the theme “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.”

Cargo throughput increased 12% year-on-year, while container volumes rose 25%. Egypt also advanced to 19th globally in the Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI), from 23rd in 2024, ranking first in Africa and second among Arab countries. The government is targeting a position among the global top 15 by 2030.

Egypt is developing eight integrated international logistics corridors connecting Mediterranean and Red Sea ports and the Suez Canal corridor with dry ports, industrial, agricultural and mining areas through railways, express roads and the high-speed electric rail network.

Its maritime development programme includes expanding the commercial port network to 19 ports, increasing port areas to 100 million square meters and adding 70 kilometers of new berths with depths of 18 to 25 meters, taking total quay length beyond 100 kilometers. Plans also include expanding breakwaters and increasing the marine tug fleet to 80 units.

New container and multipurpose terminals are being developed with international operators and shipping lines including Maersk, MSC and CMA CGM, supporting additional capacity and stronger integration into global liner networks.

Egypt is also targeting a commercial fleet of around 40 vessels by 2030, capable of carrying 30 million tonnes annually through its state-affiliated shipping companies.

Alongside capacity expansion, the maritime strategy includes digitalization, green ports, shore power, lower-emission marine fuels and green hydrogen projects as Egypt seeks to combine infrastructure growth with environmental and operational efficiency.

The World Maritime Day event brought together senior maritime and port officials, including Suez Canal Authority Chairman and Managing Director Adm. Ossama Rabiee, port executives and representatives of Egypt’s maritime community.

Source: Ministry of Transport – Egypt