Egypt-Italy Ro-Ro cargo line to launch 29 November, connecting Damietta to Trieste

Ahram Online , Tuesday 5 Nov 2024

The Egyptian-Italian roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) cargo line between Egypt's port of Damietta and Italy's port of Trieste will commence its services on 29 November, with the first ship scheduled to reach Trieste on 2 December.

port of Damietta
File Photo: Egypt's port of Damietta unloading a docked cargo ship. Photo courtesy of Egypt projects map website.

 

The announcement was made during a conference on Tuesday attended by Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir, according to the Egyptian cabinet.

During his speech, El-Wazir said that this project comes within President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's directives to transform Egypt into a regional hub for transportation, logistics, and transit trade.

It also aligns with El-Sisi's directives to open export markets for Egyptian agricultural products in Italy and Europe, boosting Egypt's foreign exchange reserves.

This approach is part of the state's broader economic strategy to strengthen the national economy through increased revenue and diversified trade opportunities.

El-Wazir said the line, which aims to strengthen maritime connectivity, is expected to serve as a "green corridor" between Egypt and Italy, reflecting both countries' close economic and strategic partnership.

He also noted that the ministry is coordinating with other relevant governmental departments to remove any operational or procedural obstacles to the line’s success. 

The minister added that all legal documents required to operate the line have been signed with Italian counterparts, and joint working groups of experts from both countries have been formed to oversee various project elements.

He further stressed that promoting the Ro-Ro line and the goods transported through it will be a top priority to ensure the sustainability and economic benefits of this vital route, which will serve the interests of Egypt and Italy.

El-Wazir said that the state had supported the project by offering substantial incentives, including an 88 percent reduction in port fees.

Additionally, the road transit fees for each incoming and outgoing truck have been lowered from $300 and $350, respectively, to a flat rate of $100.

The conference brought together stakeholders from both governments, the private sector, and international representatives. It featured leading Egyptian exporters and major Italian and global companies operating in Egypt.

The line, whose capacity reaches 420 trucks weekly, is a prevalent shipping method that involves driving cars, trucks, agricultural machinery, and other items onto a special vessel at the origin and rolling them off at the destination.

Ro-Ro ships are a type of ship that allows self-propelled products, such as cars and tractors, to roll on and off the vessel on their wheels rather than being lifted on board using cranes.

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