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DP World in deal to develop Egyptian inland container depot

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Major port operator DP World is teaming up with Egyptian government-linked parties to develop a new inland container deport (ICD) that is expected to boost the flow of cargo into inland areas.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed by DP World, Egypt’s Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport and the Suez Canal Authority aims to develop the facility in Egypt’s 6th of October City, a satellite town in the Giza Governorate and part of the urban area of Cairo.

DP World will lead the consortium in bidding for the government contract for the project later this year and become the depot’s operator if the tender is won. The proposed ICD is expected to create a central distribution point and increase cargo flow between vessels and major land transportation networks.

The agreement was signed by DP World group chairman and ceo Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Mohab Mamish, chairman of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), and Mohamed Ahmad Ibrahim Youssef, chairman of the Holding Company of Maritime and Land Transport. 

“Developing trade infrastructure to improve hinterland access for goods bound for Africa’s growing economic needs is essential. This collaboration builds on our strategic partnership with Egypt and we look forward to working with the SCZone and the government’s Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport to make it happen,” said Sultan Ahmed.

“The partnership is aligned with the UAE leadership’s directive to share with neighbouring nations the global experiences that our country has gained over the years. We are proud to support the Egyptian government’s drive for economic growth, led by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and the collaboration further builds on our historical ties with the country where we have been operating Sokhna Port for 10 years and have become an integral part of the social and economic fabric,” he added.

DP World had earlier signed an agreement with the Suez Canal Authority and SCZone to start work on developing an integrated industrial and residential zone in Sokhna.

“This is a constructive step toward realising the strategy of the Egyptian government in developing its marine and dry ports infrastructure. It follows the expected future growth of global trade, and the directives of the country’s political leadership in preparing Egypt’s ports to keep pace with changing global trends. We are achieving this in part today by partnering with DP World and the Holding Company of Maritime and Land Transport, who both enjoy the experience and ability to manage ports in a way that serves the Egyptian economy and ensures prosperity for the people of Egypt and the UAE,” said Mohab.

Learn more about smart ports and supply chain developments at Seatrade Maritime Middle East in October 2018.

“This partnership is aligned with Egypt’s strategy for sustainable development and the policy of the Ministry of Business Sector to increase activities and investments of its companies in projects that raise developmental levels, create jobs for Egyptian youth and increase the profits of Egyptian companies to fuel local GDP. The project will serve trade in Egypt by linking inland and marine ports, like in Alexandria where the Holding Company is present through its affiliate, the Alexandria Container and Cargo Handling Company. This alliance with DP World comes as result of a previous MoU signed between our companies to cooperate in projects of mutual interest that benefit both the parties. The presence of the SCZone as a strategic partner of DP World in Egypt’s ports will increase the project’s success chances through linking it to the economic zone to achieve developmental and investment objectives,” concluded Mohamed.