Cairo: Egyptian Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir and French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot, alongside French Ambassador to Egypt Eric Chevallier, visited the Tahya Misr Terminal in Alexandria Port, underscoring the robust Egyptian-French cooperation in maritime transport and port operations. The terminal, managed by France's CMA CGM in collaboration with Misr Ports Company, exemplifies the strategic partnership between the two nations.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Minister El-Wazir emphasized Egypt's commitment to enhancing its ports as part of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's directives to leverage the country's strategic position on major global shipping routes. The government's vision is to transform these ports into regional hubs, increase their share in global transit trade, and open new markets through direct shipping services and integrated transport networks. This strategy is a cornerstone of the Egypt Vision 2030, which focuses on upgrading maritime infrastructure and expanding international partnerships.
El-Wazir highlighted the ongoing cooperation with CMA CGM at the Tahya Misr Terminal and the Red Sea Container Terminal at Ain Sokhna Port. The terminal plays a pivotal role in Egypt's strategy to create integrated logistics corridors that link seaports with dry and land ports, border areas, and various industrial zones via an advanced railway network.
Minister Tabarot praised the collaboration between Alexandria Port and the French Port of Marseille, emphasizing the significance of expanding transport cooperation. He acknowledged Alexandria Port's crucial role in global trade and commended Egypt's advancements in developing its transport systems, particularly the use of railways for freight transport.
During the visit, Mahmoud Khodair, Chairman of Tahya Misr Terminal, provided insights into the facility, which boasts an annual capacity of 1.5 million TEUs and 15 million tons of general cargo. The terminal, spanning 500,000 square meters, features 2,500 meters of berths and can accommodate large vessels. It has generated significant employment, with 1,000 direct and 2,500 indirect jobs.
Since its operational commencement, the terminal has handled 1,360 vessels and approximately 2.5 million TEUs, bolstering Alexandria Port's standing on the Eastern Mediterranean transit-trade map. Additionally, the terminal is integrated with the railway network, having processed 360 trains and around 35,000 TEUs since trial operations began in January 2025.
Anas El-Sumaili, Executive Director of the terminal, noted that it was established under a partnership agreement between Misr Ports Company and CMA CGM Group in November 2021. This partnership facilitated the transfer of expertise, personnel development, and enhanced operational efficiency. As CMA CGM Group's first investment in Egypt, the terminal serves as the northern gateway of the Alexandria-Ain Sokhna logistics corridor.
The facility operates with a comprehensive digital system, enabling real-time monitoring and management of terminal activities and container movements. The visit concluded with a tour of the terminal, where the ministers reviewed vessel reception, container handling, and daily operations.