Egypt’s Damietta Port handles largest general cargo shipment in its history

Egypt’s Damietta Port has received a record general cargo shipment of approximately 138,200 tons of slag aboard the dry bulk vessel ZHI DA 88, arriving from China, the Ministry of Transport said on Thursday.

The vessel, flying the Panamanian flag, measures 289 metres in length with a 15.5-metre draft, underscoring the port’s technical readiness to accommodate large ships following ongoing infrastructure upgrades, the ministry added.

Tarek Adly, chairman of the Damietta Port Authority, said the milestone reflects the success of the port’s development plans, aimed at maximising capacity, boosting operational efficiency, and reinforcing Damietta’s role as a key hub for global maritime trade.

“The port’s ability to handle such unprecedented cargo volumes demonstrates growing confidence among local and international shipping lines,” Adly said. “It also strengthens supply chains, supports the national economy, and enhances the port’s competitiveness regionally and internationally.”

The vessel was berthed under strict maritime safety standards, with unloading operations conducted using the port’s latest equipment, he added.

Damietta Port’s upgrades form part of Egypt’s wider strategy to develop its ports and position the country as a regional centre for logistics, transit trade, and shipping, under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English