Egypt Cabinet greenlights two new private free zones

The Egyptian Cabinet on Tuesday approved the establishment of two private free zones, one at Safaga Port on the Red Sea and another at Dekheila Port in Alexandria.

The first zone, to be operated by Safaga Company for Port Operations JSC, will span 810,000 square metres and include a 1,100-metre dock. The project aligns with the government’s broader vision of transforming Egypt’s ports into global trade hubs. By partnering with local companies and consultants, while collaborating with international firms for infrastructure development, management, and operation, the government aims to modernise the country’s port infrastructure.

According to the statement, the private free zone will focus on the entire lifecycle of a multi-purpose terminal within Safaga Port, from construction and development to operation, maintenance, and eventual handover. Its operations will adhere to a specific agreement between the General Authority for Red Sea Ports and Safaga Company for Ports Operation, and will be governed by the regulations governing private free zones.

The company will be responsible for completing the projects on schedule and according to all specified requirements. The target is to achieve an annual output of 9.3 million tons and generate significant employment opportunities for local residents.

Focusing exclusively on container shipping, the second private free zone will be operated by El Dekheila Container Terminal Company JSC, to span 840,000 square metres and include a 1,200-metre dock at El Dekheila Port.

This special free zone is designated for the construction, development, operation, maintenance, and eventual handover of a container terminal at berth 100 of the Dekheila Port. The company aims to achieve an annual capacity of 2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and create numerous job opportunities for the local workforce.

Attribution: The Egyptian Cabinet