Egypt starts building new terminal at Damietta Port

The foundation stone has been laid to begin construction on a EGP1.3 billion (US$74 million) multipurpose terminal at Damietta Port in Egypt.

The 75,000-square-metre terminal is expected to increase bulk cargo handling rates by up to four million tonnes annually and reduce vessel waiting times at the outer anchorage

Scheduled for completion within 18 months, the project with the Armed Forces Engineering Authority includes the construction of a 630-metre-long berth with a depth of 17 metres.

Part of the Ministry of Transport's plan to develop the port system, the terminal project will be able to handle liquid bulk, dry bulk and general cargo vessels.

It follows the inauguration of the EGP12 million extended port operations centre, the raising of flags on the port's two new tugs with 60-tonne bollard pull, and plans for a logistics region to pack, freeze and wrap fruit and vegetables, a 90,000-square-metre Ro-Ro terminal and a 300-metre-long berth for handling gas and petroleum.