Nairobi: The Ministry of Transport celebrated a significant milestone in modernizing the Egyptian merchant fleet by the National Navigation Company, a subsidiary of the Ministry. This event marks the commencement of construction for new ships at the renowned Hantong Shipyard in China.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the milestone was marked by the steel cutting ceremony for the construction of two giant dry bulk carriers of the Kamsarmax class. Each ship will have a deadweight tonnage of 82,000 tons and is being built at the Jiangsu Hantong Heavy Industries Shipyard in the People's Republic of China, one of the world's largest shipyards.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Mohamed Soliman Metwally, Managing Director of the National Navigation Company. He represented Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport. Senior executives from the Hantong Shipyard, including Mr. Ming Chengjun, Chairman of the Board, were also present at the event.