Egypt has inaugurated its first semiautomated container terminal at Sokhna Port near the southern entrance to the Suez Canal, reported London's S&P Global.

The Red Sea Container Terminals facility was developed by Hutchison Ports, CMA Terminals and Cosco Shipping Ports under a 30-year concession with the Egyptian government. Investment in the project exceeded US$1.8 billion.

Hutchison Ports managing director Clemence Cheng said Egypt was a pivotal market at the intersection of global trade routes.

The opening comes as carriers begin redirecting services from the Cape of Good Hope back to the Suez Canal. Maersk, CMA CGM and Gemini Cooperation services are among those resuming Red Sea transits.

Phase I of RSCT includes a 1,200-metre berth, 18-metre water depth and initial handling capacity of 1.7 million TEU, with plans to expand to 3.5 million TEUs across 2.6 kilometres of quay.

The terminal is integrated with Egypt's transport network, offering direct highway and rail links to industrial zones and reducing transit times for imports, exports and transshipment.

Major liners had avoided the Red Sea since late 2023 due to Houthi attacks on shipping. Drewry data showed 26 container ships transited the Suez Canal in the week ended January 11, the highest in five weeks.

https://www.shippingazette.com/news?news_id=9260100000589