Egypt launches Sokhna cargo terminal trial

Egypt started trial operations on Tuesday at the first phase of the general cargo and bulk terminal at Sokhna Port, receiving its first vessel carrying around 1,460 metric tons of battery units for an energy storage system.

The Egyptian Group for Multipurpose Terminals, received the GAMBELLA vessel, operated by shipping agency Dominion, and completed its berthing, unloading, and cargo handling as part of the trial operation plan.

The trial operations aim to test the terminal’s work system and ensure the readiness of its berths, yards, equipment, workforce, and operating systems, while measuring performance during vessel reception, cargo unloading, transportation, and storage before gradually moving to full operations.

The terminal covers around 397,000 square metres and has two marine berths with a combined length of up to 1,200 metres and a depth of up to 18 metres. It is designed to handle various types of general and bulk cargo, with a targeted annual handling capacity of around 10 million tons.

The terminal is expected to increase Sokhna Port’s cargo-handling capacity, support trade, and serve industrial and logistics projects in the Suez Canal region and its associated economic zones.

The company plans to complete the remaining project phases, including customs warehouses and value-added services, to fully utilise the terminal and reach its targeted operational capacity while meeting technical, operational, security, safety, and environmental requirements.