Egypt’s Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli has reaffirmed that El Arish Port represents a strategic gateway to the Eastern Mediterranean and a central pillar in advancing development across North Sinai, highlighting its growing role in supporting exports of Sinai-produced goods.
He emphasised that the Egyptian state continues to prioritise the development of seaports in line with the directives of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, with the aim of maximising the strategic advantages of Egypt’s geographic position and strengthening its status as a regional hub for maritime transport and logistics.
Madbouli remarks came during the prime minister’s inspection of El Arish Port, affiliated with the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), as part of his tour of development and service projects in North Sinai.
The visit reviewed progress on the port’s two-phase development project.
Accompanying the prime minister were Minister of Transport Kamel el-Wazir, Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad, Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities Randa el-Menshawy, and Governor of North Sinai Major General Khaled Maghawer.
They were received by SCZone Chairman Walid Gamal el-Din and senior officials, the Cabinet Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Homosani said in a statement.
Minister el-Wazir stated that El Arish Port, the only Mediterranean seaport in North Sinai, plays a vital role in achieving comprehensive development in the peninsula.
He noted its importance within the El Arish–Taba logistics corridor linking the Mediterranean to the Gulf of Aqaba, forming part of a broader national plan to establish integrated logistics corridors.
It also connects production centres with seaports and supports Egypt’s transformation into a global logistics hub.
SCZone Chairman Gamal el-Din reported that the port has more than doubled in size since its reopening in 2021, now covering over 540 acres.
He highlighted significant growth in operational performance, with ship traffic and cargo volumes rising substantially, alongside a marked increase in revenues.
The port has handled a diverse range of strategic commodities and played a key humanitarian role by receiving aid shipments destined for the Gaza Strip.
The prime minister also reviewed the completed first phase of development, including the fully operational western basin, and inspected ongoing works in both the first and second phases, which aim to expand capacity, enhance infrastructure, and support increasing trade and investment activity.
These developments have contributed to the creation of approximately 3,000 direct and indirect job opportunities for the people of Sinai.
