Tag: Egypt

Heavy weather combined with inappropriate manipulations may lead to damage of a vessel, threatening the cargo, the environment or, even worst, human life. That's why, for the time being, Egyptian authorities have shut down the most important ports of Alexandria and Dekheila on the Mediterranean Sea and Ain Sokhna and Suez on the Red Sea because of extreme weather conditions, as stated by Reuters.

The principles of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) are almost similar to those of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as they both seek to gain a better and more sustainable future for all, former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf addressed to Xinhua in a recent interview.

U.S. Maritime Advisory 2018-014 informs of a continued GPS interference by vessels and aircraft operating in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea It is causing the alternation of GPS signals and affects the navigation and communication of vessels. GPS interference is causing the loss or the alternation of GPS signals affecting bridge navigation, GPS-based timing and communications equipment.   

The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority signed agreements with the Egyptian ports of Alexandria and Damietta on 2nd of November. These agreements aim to establish a bilateral working group with representatives of shipping lines, traders, port operators to discuss the implementation of joint projects.

Container ships and ferries coming from foreign ports to East Port Said will enjoy a discount at tariffs for a period of one year. A 30% discount on port, docking and guiding fees will apply for vessels carrying less than 80,000 tonnes while those carrying more than that will receive a 40% discount.

Egypt plans to build a railroad line connecting the Red Sea with the Mediterranean via a land bridge. At first, a line will connect the Port of Alexandria with the Port of Damietta. A little later, the project will connect the Port of Damietta to the Port of Nuweiba. The project wants to accelerate the movement of people and goods.

The Afro-Asian Economic Council informed that it will launch a development project, aiming to connect Egypt and other North African countries to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. This projects aspired to improve Egypt’s position as strategic navigational and land corridor in the world.

Egypt's Transportation Minister Hesham Arafat informed that the country will keep its ports open for 24 hours a day, in order to reduce the waiting times for shipment. Currently, Egyptian ports stay open for 16 hours. The minister did not made clear when the new port hours will be launched or for how long the new policy will remain in place.

An event took place in Alexandria, Egypt, on 15-19 October, where 30 women from nine Arab countries officially launched The Arab Association for Women in the Maritime Sector.

As of 6 June 2017, ports across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates are closed to ships flying Qatari flags. Some ports may also be closed to ships, irrespective of their flag, that are destined for or arriving from Qatari ports, which in practice, means a trade embargo.