Photo courtesy of Egypt's cabinet
The milestone highlights the port’s growing capacity to accommodate ultra-large bulk carriers. It reflects ongoing upgrades aimed at positioning Egypt as a regional logistics hub amid evolving global trade and supply chain dynamics.
The vessel, arriving from Mauritania, surpasses the port’s previous handling record for Cape Size ships of around 165,000 tons, underscoring improved berth infrastructure, navigational depth, and terminal efficiency.
SCZone Chairman Walid Gamal El-Din said the development reflects significant progress across the zone’s ports in infrastructure, technical equipment, and operational performance, enabling them to handle mega vessels in line with international standards.
“This step reflects growing confidence among global shipping lines in East Port Said Port’s capabilities, particularly in light of accelerating global economic and supply chain challenges,” he said, adding that the expansion aligns with a broader strategy to enhance supply chain resilience and attract larger cargo volumes.
Meanwhile, Tarek Hussein, chairman of Sky Ports, said the operation marks a key milestone for both the terminal and Egypt’s ports sector, citing $15 million in recent investments to acquire advanced German-made Gottwald cranes.
He said the upgrades aim to reduce vessel waiting times, increase handling capacity, and prepare the terminal to accommodate ships of this scale, boosting the port’s competitiveness and attractiveness to major global shipping lines.
The MV PAROSHIP represents a new class of ultra-large dry bulk carriers not previously handled at Egyptian ports, designed to transport massive cargo volumes and ranking among the largest vessels in this segment worldwide.
Located at the Mediterranean entrance of the Suez Canal, East Port Said Port is one of Egypt’s most strategically positioned maritime hubs, sitting directly on the main East–West global shipping route and enabling vessels to berth with minimal deviation.
The port is a central component of the SCZone, a flagship government initiative integrating ports, industrial zones, and logistics services to position Egypt as a regional manufacturing and global trade hub.
East Port Said has traditionally operated as a major container transshipment centre, hosting global operators including the Suez Canal Container Terminal (SCCT), in which APM Terminals, part of the Maersk Group, is a key stakeholder, linking the port to major international shipping networks.
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