Minister of Local Development and Environment, Manal Awad, reiterated that Egypt is advancing strategic partnerships with the private sector to strengthen sustainable waste management and support the country’s green transition.
Her remarks came during a meeting on Sunday with representatives of Antipollution, the company contracted by the Suez Canal Authority to implement a comprehensive ship waste management project with investments totaling $150 million.
Minister Awad highlighted that the project applies advanced international environmental standards and ensures the integrated management of ship-generated waste across all stages, including collection, transportation, and recycling.
The initiative is being implemented under a shareholders’ agreement between the Suez Canal Authority and the Greek “V” Group, the owner of Antipollution Egypt, which provides services for both solid and liquid waste management.
She noted that the ministry is closely following the project’s progress to ensure full compliance with environmental regulations.
The minister further stressed that the initiative represents a successful model of state–private sector co-operation that contributes to Egypt’s Vision 2030, supports the development of green ports, and enhances the country’s competitiveness in global maritime transport.
Dr Awad also directed the provision of necessary support to facilitate the project’s implementation and called for co-operation in establishing a robust mechanism for the safe disposal of waste within coastal nature reserves.
The mechanism, she noted, aims to prevent marine pollution, protect biodiversity and coral reefs, and encourage vessels operating in these areas to dispose of waste responsibly.
She indicated that a pilot case study could be implemented in Ras Mohammed Nature Reserve to assess daily waste volumes and determine the most effective collection and disposal system.
