Egypt, China ink deal to build 2 clean dry bulk ships

Egypt’s National Navigation Company (NNC) signed a contract for building two 82,000-ton state-of-the-art clean dry bulk ships with China’s Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry shipbuilder, the cabinet announced on Wednesday.

The ships are  scheduled for handover in 2026. Hantong Shipyard will build the vessels according to the latest environmental regulations and leading global designs.

This expansion aims to empower the Egyptian fleet to transport 20 million tons of strategic goods annually, including grains, oil. It will, moreover, facilitate passenger travel between Egypt and the rest of the world.

Upon taking over the new ships, the National Navigation Company’s fleet will grow to 16 Egyptian vessels, with a collective tonnage exceeding one-million-ton annually.

This expansion ensures the secure transport of strategic goods for Egypt, including wheat for the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC).

The Chinese shipyard has a proven track record, having built 148 ships with 49 currently under construction, totaling a deadweight of 12.6 million tons.

Notably, over 40 per cent of the national commercial fleet will be renewed within just three years, marking a significant accomplishment for the Ministry of Transport and the National Navigation Company.

The ministry has set an ambitious target to increase its subsidiary fleet to 31 ships by 2030. These companies include the NNC, the Arab Bridge for Navigation, the Cairo Ferry Company, and the Egyptian Tanker Company.