Egypt inaugurates its first semiautomated container terminal at Sokhna Port, enhancing trade routes and capacity in the Suez Canal region.
Egypt has inaugurated its first semiautomated container terminal at Sokhna Port, located near the southern entrance to the Suez Canal, as reported by London's S&P Global.
The Red Sea Container Terminals facility was developed by Hutchison Ports, CMA Terminals, and Cosco Shipping Ports under a 30-year concession with the Egyptian government. Investment in the project exceeded US$1.8 billion.
Hutchison Ports managing director Clemence Cheng stated that Egypt is a pivotal market at the intersection of global trade routes.
The opening comes as carriers begin redirecting services from the Cape of Good Hope back to the Suez Canal. Maersk, CMA CGM, and Gemini Cooperation services are among those resuming Red Sea transits.
Phase I of RSCT includes a 1,200-metre berth, an 18-metre water depth, and an initial handling capacity of 1.7 million TEU, with plans to expand to 3.5 million TEUs across 2.6 kilometres of quay.
The terminal is integrated with Egypt's transport network, offering direct highway and rail links to industrial zones, thereby reducing transit times for imports, exports, and transshipment.
Major liners had avoided the Red Sea since late 2023 due to Houthi attacks on shipping. Drewry data showed that 26 container ships transited the Suez Canal in the week ending January 11, marking the highest number in five weeks.
