Egypt Starts Trial Operations at New Red Sea Container Terminal

Egypt has officially begun trial operations at the Red Sea Container Terminal No. 1 at Sokhna Port, marking a major step in its bid to become a leading logistics and transshipment hub connecting the Red Sea with the Mediterranean.

The first vessel to call at the new terminal, the CMA CGM Helium - operated by global shipping giant CMA CGM - arrived from Singapore over the weekend. Local authorities say this milestone underscores the terminal’s readiness to handle international cargo flows even as final commissioning activities continue.

The trial phase was inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, who toured the facility and observed cargo handling in progress. He underscored the importance of modernising Egypt’s port infrastructure and enhancing the country’s role in global supply chains.

Built as part of a major development initiative at Ain Sokhna Port, the Red Sea Container Terminal is fully equipped with automated systems that govern quay cranes, yard equipment, and container tracking technologies.

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The setup reflects a broader push by Egyptian authorities to integrate advanced logistics technologies and improve operational efficiency across national ports.

The terminal’s launch also aligns with Egypt’s Sokhna–Alexandria logistics corridor strategy - a plan to link key Red Sea and Mediterranean gateways via rail and road networks, boosting connectivity for cargo moving between Asia, Africa, Europe and beyond.

An international consortium is operating the Sokhna terminal, including Hutchison Ports, CMA CGM and COSCO, bringing together major global players in shipping and port management. This collaboration is seen as an effort to attract consistent vessel calls and position Sokhna as a competitive alternative to other major Middle Eastern transshipment hubs.

Officials say the trial period will allow stakeholders to fine-tune operations, test equipment performance, and ensure safety and efficiency before full commercial service begins.

Once fully operational, the terminal is expected to significantly increase handling capacity at Sokhna Port and relieve congestion at existing facilities.

Egypt’s broader port expansion efforts come amid shifting global trade dynamics, where maritime routes and port capacities are increasingly critical to economic growth, resilience and integration into global value chains.

What comes next: Over the coming months, the terminal will continue scaling up its activities while authorities monitor performance metrics - an important phase before transitioning into full commercial operations.

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