Arab Finance: Egyptian ports handled a record 11.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2025, marking a 24.3% year-on-year (YoY) increase from 8.9 million TEUs in 2024, according to a statement by the Ministry of Transport.
The ministry said Egyptian ports also received the highest number of vessels during 2025, with 17,288 trips, representing a growth of 6.6% YoY. Transit container volumes were a key driver of overall growth last year, reaching 6.7 million TEUs, up 36% YoY despite ongoing geopolitical challenges in the region.
This increase reflects the ministry's efforts in recent years to capitalize on Egypt's strategic position linking three continents through the Mediterranean and Red Seas, alongside the country's role as home to the Suez Canal.
The ministry also highlighted progress in implementing directives to transform Egypt into a regional hub for transport, logistics, and transit trade, noting that ports have taken several measures to improve cargo and container handling efficiency, reducing vessel and cargo dwell times, and strengthening the competitiveness of Egyptian ports.
As a result, container terminal productivity increased to 30,452 TEUs per day in 2025, compared with 24,494 TEUs per day in 2024.
These developments have contributed to improving Egypt's standing in global maritime rankings. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Egypt advanced to 19th place globally in the Liner Shipping Connectivity Index during the first quarter of 2025, up from 24th place in 2024. The country ranked first in Africa and second in the Arab world.
Egyptian ports also recorded gains in the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), published by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence. Port Said ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa region and third globally in 2024, compared with 16th place globally in 2023 among 405 ports included in the index. The port achieved a score of 137.4, reflecting improvements in vessel turnaround times and container handling efficiency.
In Lloyd's List ranking of the world's top 100 container ports by traffic volume, East Port Said Port ranked 47th globally in 2025 after handling 4.439 million TEUs, compared with 64th place in 2024. Damietta Container and Cargo Handling Company also entered the ranking at 90th place globally after handling 1.8 million TEUs, placing it among the fastest-growing container terminals worldwide.
