Cairo: Egypt's state-owned National Navigation Company has signed an agreement with China's Hantong Shipyard to build two Kamsarmax-class dry bulk carriers, the Ministry of Industry and Transport announced. The vessels, each with a deadweight of 82,000 tonnes, are slated for delivery in September and November 2028. Mohamed Suleiman Metwally, managing director of the National Navigation Company, and Meng Chengjun, chairman of Hantong Shipyard, signed the contract in the presence of Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport and Industry Minister.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the agreement is part of Egypt's strategy to modernize its commercial shipping fleet and enhance its status as a regional logistics hub. The new ships are designed to meet international environmental and technical standards, featuring fuel-efficient hulls, MAN B and W engines delivering 7,490kW, and advanced emission-reduction systems. Each vessel will be equipped with state-of-the-art navigation systems and will measure 229 metres in length, with a beam of 32.26 metres and a draft of 14.5 metres.

El-Wazir highlighted that the deal extends Egypt's collaboration with Hantong, which previously constructed two similar ships-the Wadi El-Muluk and Wadi El-Arish-delivered in 2023 and early 2024. These vessels were part of an initiative to renew the national fleet, with the Wadi El-Muluk introduced at Alexandria Port during the opening of the Tahya Misr terminal. The new order will increase the company's fleet to 18 vessels, up from 12 three years prior, marking a 54 percent fleet renewal.

The ministry emphasized that this expansion is crucial for boosting national capacity to transport strategic goods, such as grain and oil. El-Wazir stated that the ministry plans to grow the commercial fleets of state-owned shipping firms, including the National Navigation Company, Arab Bridge Maritime, Cairo Ferries, and the Egyptian Tanker Company, aiming for a combined total of 36 vessels by 2030.