Egypt has recently inaugurated an Egyptian-Italian Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) shipping line. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir attended the launch event.
The ceremony occurred at Damietta Port, a key maritime hub on the Mediterranean. The Ministry of Industry and Transport organized it with the Damietta Port Authority.
Key attendees included Damietta Governor Ayman El-Shehabi, Italy’s Ambassador to Cairo Michele Quaroni, and notable representatives from the maritime transport industry.
This initiative follows an agreement signed in January 2024 between Egypt and Italy, which facilitates the transport of up to 420 trucks weekly between the ports of Damietta and Trieste. Ro-Ro vessels are uniquely designed to allow self-propelled vehicles, such as cars and tractors, to easily roll on and off the ship, eliminating the need for cranes.
Prime Minister Madbouly highlighted the initiative’s alignment with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s vision to establish Egypt as a regional hub for logistics and transit trade. He emphasized the project’s potential to enhance Egypt’s logistical capabilities between Europe and Africa, thereby increasing trade opportunities and supporting the exporting of industrial goods and agricultural products to European markets.
Minister El-Wazir described the launch of the Ro-Ro shipping line as a significant milestone for the maritime transport sector, as it opens new export markets for Egyptian goods in Italy and broader Europe. He noted that this initiative reflects the strong collaboration between Egypt and Italy, aimed at ensuring the sustainable operation of this shipping line.
The new line is set to utilize refrigerated and dry trucks, establishing a “green corridor” between the two countries and reinforcing the solid relationships between their leadership and citizens. Additionally, the project aims to leverage European expertise in land transport, ultimately reducing shipping costs and delivery times while enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian products. This initiative is anticipated to create over 2,000 job opportunities for Egyptian truck drivers, as well as roles for administrative staff in transport, shipping companies, and maritime agencies.
Ambassador Quaroni expressed appreciation for the ongoing cooperation between Egyptian and Italian authorities and private-sector stakeholders. He highlighted that the new Ro-Ro line will enhance access to both Italian and European goods for Egyptian markets and provide a pathway for Egyptian exports to reach European destinations. Furthermore, he noted that the initiative is projected to increase container movement between Mediterranean ports by 3.5 percent annually through 2027, reflecting its significance for trade and economic collaboration between the regions.
