Sokhna Port begins trial operations at general cargo terminal

EGYPT – The Ministry of Transport, represented by the Egyptian Maritime Ports Company, has started trial operations for the first phase of the general cargo and dry bulk terminal at Sokhna Port, according to the ministry.

As part of the initial trial phase, the terminal received its first general cargo vessel, the GAMBELLA, operated by Dominion Shipping Agency. The vessel berthed with 1,460 metric tons of battery units intended for an energy storage system.

The ministry confirmed that the vessel was safely received and berthed, and that its cargo was unloaded and handled as part of the trial operations plan, conducted in coordination with port authorities and service providers.

Operational integration

The Suez Mechanical Stevedoring Company, one of the ministry’s affiliated companies, carried out the unloading operations.

The ministry said the collaborative effort reflects integration among its subsidiary entities and the use of available capabilities and expertise to improve efficiency across daily port operations.

National objectives and trade positioning

The ministry said the development project is designed to increase handling capacity while supporting national economic and supply chain ambitions.

Meanwhile, the trial operation falls under President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s directives to develop Egypt’s maritime transport system, transform the country into a regional hub for transportation, logistics, and transit trade, and maximize the use of Egyptian ports.

With phase one trials underway, Sokhna Port is positioned to increase throughput capacity, improve vessel turnaround times, and strengthen its position in global maritime trade networks.

The terminal will handle dry bulk and general freight, complementing the port’s existing container operations.

Port expansion context

Sokhna Port has expanded its capacity in recent months. In August 2026, the Trans Cargo general cargo terminal welcomed its first commercial vessels, including the Century Eagle, a bulk carrier arriving from China with a deadweight of approximately 52,483 tonnes, and the Transmar Legacy from Jeddah Islamic Port.

Moreover, the port also secured a Guinness World Record for the deepest artificial port basin created on land, at 19 meters, and is pursuing another record for quays totaling a combined 18 kilometers.

Lastly, Sokhna Port is a core component of the Suez Canal Economic Zone and the Sokhna-Alexandria integrated logistics corridor, featuring specialized terminals, upgraded berths and navigation basins, and improved road and rail connections.

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