The Egyptian Ministry of Transport's maritime sector has reported a remarkable surge in ship arrivals, with a total of 17,288 vessels docking in 2025, which represents a 6.6% increase compared to the previous year. The statement also highlighted that Egyptian ports achieved a significant growth in container traffic, handling 11.1 million TEUs, an increase of 24.3% from 2024.
These figures are a positive indicator of the success of the strategies implemented by the Ministry of Transport to enhance the efficiency of Egyptian ports. Transit containers accounted for a substantial portion of this growth, with a traffic volume of 6.7 million TEUs, reflecting a 36% increase over the previous year, despite the geopolitical challenges faced by the region.
Details of the Achievement
The statement clarified that this significant increase is attributed to the Ministry of Transport's efforts to leverage Egypt's unique geographical location, which connects three continents and includes the Suez Canal, one of the world's most vital waterways. A presidential mandate has also been executed to transform Egypt into a regional hub for transport and logistics.
The ministry has successfully attracted global shipping lines and operators to work in Egyptian ports, with new investments being made in the infrastructure of container terminals. Several global alliances have been contracted to manage and operate the new terminals, including the French company CMA – CGM and the German-Italian consortium Eurogate and Contship.
Background & Context
Historically, Egyptian ports have witnessed significant developments in recent years, with improvements in the efficiency of cargo and container handling, contributing to reduced dwell times for ships and goods in ports. The productivity of container terminals rose to 30,452 TEUs per day in 2025, compared to 24,494 TEUs in 2024.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report indicated that Egypt advanced three positions in the regular shipping connectivity index, ranking 19th globally and 1st in Africa. This progress reflects the efforts made to enhance Egypt's status as an important maritime center.
Impact & Consequences
These developments mark a significant milestone in enhancing Egypt's competitiveness in maritime transport, as Egyptian ports have demonstrated outstanding performance in global performance indicators. For instance, Port Said ranked 1st regionally and 3rd globally in the container port performance index.
These achievements contribute to boosting regional and international trade, as global companies are expected to shift transit operations to Egyptian ports, benefiting from Egypt's advantageous geographical location.
Regional Significance
This surge in Egyptian ports is a crucial step towards enhancing trade among Arab countries, facilitating the movement of goods and strengthening economic cooperation. Furthermore, improving port performance will enhance Egypt's ability to attract foreign investments.
In conclusion, it can be said that Egyptian ports are heading in the right direction towards achieving their strategic objectives, thereby reinforcing their position as a regional hub for transport and logistics.