Arab Finance: The Alexandria Port Authority signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Egypt-based infrastructure investor Hassan Allam Utilities and Al-Tarek Group to study the development, construction, and operation of an integrated logistics center at El-Dekheila Port, according to a Ministry of Transport statement.

The proposed center would occupy 273,008 square meters in the port’s western hinterland and provide distribution, re-export, and value-added logistics services for regional and international markets.

Minister of Transport Kamel El-Wazir explained that the project would create investment opportunities at El-Dekheila Port through services encompassing storage, cargo handling, distribution, re-export, final product processing, and light manufacturing. These activities would add value to cargo passing through the port and improve services for exporters and importers.

He added that the center would strengthen the port’s competitiveness and its capacity to attract regional and international investment and trade flows, while helping integrate Egyptian ports into global supply chains and international trade.

The project forms part of the ministry’s strategy to increase the economic returns from Egyptian ports by expanding their activities beyond receiving vessels and handling cargo to include comprehensive trade and logistics services. El-Wazir noted that this approach would reinforce the role of El-Dekheila Port and Egypt more broadly in Eastern Mediterranean trade.

He linked the agreement to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives to make Egypt a regional hub for transport, logistics, and transit trade by making greater use of its strategic geographical location. The ministry’s port development plan also seeks to optimize existing assets and capabilities and expand private-sector participation in investment and service projects to support sustainable economic development and the national economy.

For Hassan Allam, the proposed center reflects a wider investment focus on connecting transport infrastructure with commercial and industrial activities. Amr Allam described transport and logistics as central to the company’s investment strategy, highlighting opportunities to link ports, distribution networks, and industrial operations to improve cargo movement and broaden companies’ access to markets.

He explained that the center’s direct connection to El-Dekheila Port, together with its planned value-added services, would support more efficient and competitive supply chains and contribute to Egypt’s ambitions in transport, logistics, and transit trade.

To advance the project, El-Wazir instructed the signatories to hold more frequent meetings in the coming period and accelerate the preparation and signing of an agreement setting out its terms and conditions ahead of implementation.