Egypt and China’s C&D Agree to Build Dry Bulk Terminal at Alexandria’s Al Max Port

Agreement Signed

Egypt’s Ministry of Transport signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese firm Xiamen C&D to develop a specialised dry bulk terminal at Al Max Port in Alexandria, as part of efforts to enhance Greater Alexandria Port and the Sokhna–Alexandria logistics corridor.

Project Scope

The MoU was signed by the Alexandria Port Authority, represented by its Chairperson Ehab Salah, and by C&D, represented by its Managing Director and CEO Lü Rongdian. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Transport Kamel Al‑Wazir, Deputy Minister of Transport for Maritime Affairs Nehad Shaheen, Maritime Transport Sector Head Hussein El‑Geziry and officials from both sides.

According to the ministry, the terminal will be the first of four planned facilities at Al Max Port. The development aims to strengthen Egypt’s role as a regional hub for transport, logistics and transit trade, expand the participation of Egyptian ports in international trade and integrate them more closely into global supply chains.

The plan calls for upgrading marine berths to handle large vessels, expanding storage yards, modernising cargo‑handling equipment and establishing a logistics centre to streamline truck movements. It also includes improving links with the national railway network to improve coordination between maritime, rail and road transport.

Economic and Environmental Aspects

Minister Al‑Wazir said the terminal will handle non‑clean dry bulk cargo and will be supported by storage yards, silos and advanced cargo‑handling systems. The design features two main berths capable of accommodating large cargo vessels, allowing Alexandria Port to receive three large vessels at once when the project is complete.

The project is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs during construction and operation, especially in transport, logistics, storage and related industrial services. Al‑Wazir added that the facility will lower supply‑chain costs, improve the flow of raw materials and finished products and boost the competitiveness of Egyptian exports, particularly cement, steel and heavy industry.

The technical design incorporates an environmental management system intended to meet international standards, the ministry noted. The initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to modernise Egyptian seaports, attract foreign investment and increase private‑sector participation in port infrastructure, in line with Egypt Vision 2030.

Official Comments

Lü Rongdian, C&D’s Managing Director and CEO, said the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Egypt and his meeting with President Abdel Fattah El‑Sisi had helped draw Chinese companies to the Egyptian market and opened investment opportunities in sectors such as transport, logistics and related industries.

Lü thanked the Ministry of Transport for its confidence in C&D and its support for cooperation. He stated that C&D aims to make the project one of the most significant maritime‑transport and port developments in the Mediterranean and will work with Egyptian partners to accelerate implementation and ensure efficient delivery.

He described the terminal as a possible starting point for further cooperation in developing additional port terminals and manufacturing commercial vessels, noting that such collaboration would strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation across supply chains.