EGYPT's National Navigation Company (NNC) has ordered a pair of bulkers at Chinese shipyard to upgrade its commercial shipping fleet, reports UK's Seatrade Maritime News.

With this latest contract, the state-owned National Navigation Company has added six new vessels to its fleet over the last three years, upgrading nearly 54 per cent of its fleet, and currently operates 18 vessels in total.

The NNC, a subsidiary of Egypt's Ministry of Transport, is to building two new Kamsarmax vessels at China's Hantong shipyard.

The contract is part of implementing the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to transform Egypt into a regional hub for transport, logistics, and transshipment trade, and to restore the strength of the Egyptian commercial fleet.

The two 82,000 tons vessels, have a length of 229 metres, width of 32.26 metres, and draft of 14.5 metres, are scheduled for delivery in September and November 2028.

The two vessels will be built in line with the latest environmental standards, featuring advanced hull designs aimed at reducing fuel consumption. Each vessel will be equipped with a main engine manufactured by MAN B&W, as well as the advanced emission-reduction systems to meet international environmental regulations.

The fleet expansion deal is part of the Ministry of Transport's ongoing strategy, in coordination with the National Navigation Company, to strengthen the national commercial fleet and solidify Egypt's leadership position in maritime transport in the Middle East, said Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Industry and Transport.

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