AD Ports Group (ADP) and the Red Sea Ports Authority (RSP Authority) have signed a Term Sheet and a Head of Terms agreement for major port projects along Egypt’s coastline.

The first agreement will see AD Ports Group develop, operate, and manage a multi-purpose terminal in Safaga Port in a consortium with the Red Sea Ports Authority and the Egyptian Group for Multipurpose Terminals Company, the commercial arm of the Egyptian Ministry of Transportation.

The multi-purpose terminal project in Safaga Port is an important national project due to its strategic location on the Red Sea. Upon completion in 2024, the terminal will offer berths of up to 1,000 metres capable of handling all types of general, dry and liquid bulk cargo.

As part of the agreement, the new joint venture will provide port users with a wide range of marine services. These include services related to vessel traffic management, dangerous goods control, provision of navigation aids, fire prevention and firefighting, anchorage, dredging, as well as pilotage, towage, and mooring and unmooring solutions.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Lieutenant-General Engineer Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Transport of Egypt, and signed by Major General Mohamed Abdel Rahim, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Red Sea Ports Authority; Rear Admiral Abdel Qader Darwish, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Group for Multipurpose Terminals, and Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO of the Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group.

Lieutenant-General Eng. Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Transport said: “These agreements are in line with the directions of Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, aiming to make Egypt a global trade and logistics hub through the development of Egyptian ports at the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea coasts, and the constructive cooperation between Egyptian and UAE ports.” Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said: “In line with our leadership’s vision to promote cooperation with fraternal Arab neighbours, we are pleased to extend our strategic relationship with the Egyptian authorities through these agreements, which cover a full range of services across multiple ports along the Red Sea coast. The Ministry of Transport has ambitious plans to boost maritime trade and transportation, and AD Ports Group stands ready to leverage its expertise and experience to support these vital development projects.” The second agreement covers the development, operation, and management of cruise ship berths and terminals at Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Safaga ports, and to provide support services to help extend cruise tourism in Egypt. In addition, AD Ports Group will develop plans for cruise ships lines linking Abu Dhabi, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Aqaba.

Under the terms of the agreement, AD Ports Group can carry out development work to enhance the experience of visiting tourists.

The memorandum was signed by Major General Mohamed Abdel Rahim, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Red Sea Ports Authority and Saif Al Mazrouei - CEO of the Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group.

The agreements are the latest in a series between AD Ports Group and maritime organisations in Egypt, including an agreement with the Egyptian Group for Multipurpose Terminals for the joint development and operation of Egypt’s Ain Sokhna Port.

Last week Abu Dhabi Ports Group (AD Ports Group), a leading facilitator of trade and logistics, has appointed a consortium of Jordan’s Dar Al Omran and Maisam Group to develop the masterplan for the Marsa Zayed mega-project in Aqaba, in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

The appointment follows AD Ports Group’s signing of multiple agreements with the Aqaba Development Corporation in 2021 for the development of tourism, transport, logistics and digital infrastructure in the area, strengthening Aqaba’s status as a key regional tourism and business hub.

The consortium of Jordan’s leading architectural consultants will develop the masterplan for a total land area of 3.2 million square metres across the Marsa Zayed site, which will consist of several districts comprising residential, retail, food and beverage services, commercial and office space, hotel, and leisure areas.

Abdullah Al Hameli, Head of the Industrial Cities and Free Zone Cluster at AD Ports Group, said, “AD Ports Group attaches great importance to developing the project in cooperation with leading local companies. The appointment of the consortium of market leaders Dar Al Omran and Maisam Group for the Marsa Zayed development is a manifestation of this philosophy. As leading firms in the market, they each have the local expertise, on the ground experience, and a shared vision of creating the ambitious projects necessary to drive Aqaba’s position as a major tourism and business destination in the region.

WAM