Cairo: Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly witnessed the ceremonial raising of the Egyptian flag on the Wadi El Arish vessel, part of the Ministry of Transport’s National Navigation Company (NNC). This significant event, attended by Lieutenant General Kamel El Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, marks a milestone in Egypt’s maritime capabilities.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the ceremony also celebrated the launch of the inaugural journey of the Egyptian-Italian roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) cargo line between the ports of Damietta and Trieste. This new route aims to expedite the export of agricultural products to European markets. The Wadi El Arish vessel, hailed as the ‘jewel’ of the national commercial fleet, boasts a capacity of 82,000 tons, a length of 229 meters, a width of 32.26 meters, and a draft of 14.5 meters.
Minister of Transport Kamel El Wazir emphasized that the Wadi El Arish was constructed with advanced technologies
, including a hull designed to reduce fuel consumption and a main engine manufactured by MAN B and W. The ship is equipped with cutting-edge navigation systems and meets international environmental standards, enhancing its operational efficiency.
During the event, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly toured the ship’s command room, which features state-of-the-art equipment and electronic navigation maps for increased safety. He, along with other officials, was briefed on the ship’s capabilities and visited its highest vantage point.
The Minister of Industry and Transport highlighted that the addition of the Wadi El Arish to the NNC fleet is part of the Ministry of Transport’s ongoing strategy to modernize and expand the company’s fleet. The goal is to increase the fleet to 14 ships with a total tonnage exceeding one million tons and a transport capacity of 10 million tons annually, ensuring the transport of strategic goods to Egypt.
At a press conference held at Damietta Port, PM Madbouly underscored the signif
icance of the new Ro-Ro line in facilitating swift transport of Egyptian exports to Europe. He also noted the importance of the Industry Forum and Exhibition in supporting major industrial companies in Egypt, asserting that the country is on the right track despite challenges.
The Prime Minister further addressed the US dollar exchange rate, assuring that there is no restriction on the dollar’s movement and reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to a flexible exchange rate. He urged the public not to fear fluctuations, as the market operates on supply and demand dynamics.