The Damietta Alliance Container Terminal in Egypt has launched, with Hapag-Lloyd's Essen Express as its inaugural vessel, enhancing regional trade.
The Damietta Alliance Container Terminal has begun commercial operations in Egypt, with Hapag-Lloyd's Essen Express being the first vessel to call, reports the American Journal of Transportation.
The 13,117-TEU ship is scheduled to berth, marking the official opening of the new facility. Contship Chief Executive Matthieu Gasselin stated that the terminal strengthens the group's presence in the Mediterranean and North Africa and will support future intermodal development in Damietta and Greater Cairo.
Designed primarily for transshipment, the terminal boasts an annual capacity of 3.3 million TEU. It is anticipated that 80 percent of the cargo will be transshipment, while 20 percent will be for import and export, serving not only Egypt but also regional markets including the Levant and the Black Sea.
The facility spans 93 hectares, featuring a quay length of 1,670 meters and a water depth of 18 meters. Equipment at the terminal includes 12 fully electric ship-to-shore cranes, 40 hybrid rubber-tyred gantry cranes, spreaders, lashing cages, out-of-gauge frames, and rail infrastructure with six train lanes, two of which are operational at launch.
Damietta Alliance Container Terminals SAE is a joint venture comprising Hapag-Lloyd Damietta GmbH with 39 percent, EUROGATE Damietta GmbH and CONTSHIP Damietta SpA with 29.5 percent each, and Ship & CREW Egypt SAE and Middle East Logistics & Consultants Group with one percent each.
The first phase of the project represented an investment exceeding US$600 million.
