AD Ports Group Appoints Hassan Allam Construction For Noatum Ports – Safaga Terminal Development

AD Ports Group has selected Hassan Allam Construction to develop the infrastructure for Noatum Ports - Safaga Terminal on Egypt's Red Sea coast. This terminal will be the first internationally managed port in Upper Egypt. The facility will cover around 810,000 square metres and include a container capacity of 450,000 TEUs, dry bulk and general cargo capacity of 5 million tonnes, liquid bulk capacity of 1 million tonnes, and Ro-Ro facilities with a capacity of 50,000 CEUs.

The terminal will feature various facilities such as administration buildings, workshops, warehouses, and authority buildings. Extensive infrastructure development will include roads, utilities, and security systems. A concrete apron spanning 48,000 square metres will be constructed alongside an 80,354 square metre container terminal with supporting infrastructure. Additionally, approximately 66,360 square metres will be allocated for general cargo and break-bulk operations.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, expressed enthusiasm about the agreement with Hassan Allam Construction. He stated: "We are delighted to sign this construction agreement today with Hassan Allam Construction to build Noatum Ports – Safaga Terminal, which will create a new source of economic growth for the people in the region, in line with the wise vision of our leadership in the UAE."

Hassan Allam Holding's CEO highlighted the significance of this collaboration with AD Ports Group. He remarked: "We welcome this opportunity to work with AD Ports Group, one of the fastest growing trade, transport and logistics groups in the Middle East, to deliver Noatum Ports – Safaga Terminal, which will be a key addition to Egypt’s maritime and ports infrastructure on the Red Sea. With our track record of more than 90 years, Hassan Allam Holding looks forward to delivering this large-scale, strategically important project for Egypt."

This terminal is part of a broader investment strategy by AD Ports Group in Egypt. Over the past three years, they have invested approximately $349 million in various projects within the country. These investments include acquiring maritime companies like Transmar, TCI and Safina. Additionally planned is a Ro-Ro terminal at Ain Sokhna and long-term concessions for cruise terminals in Safaga, Hurghada, Ain Sokhna and Sharm El-Sheikh.

UAE-Egypt Economic Relations

The UAE stands as Egypt's second-largest trading partner and its most significant international investor. In 2023 alone, UAE investments in Egypt reached $9.6 billion according to Egyptian Commercial Service (ECS). Trade between these nations amounted to AED 25.2 billion ($6.9 billion) during that year as per UAE Ministry of Economy data.

In February 2024 both countries signed an important agreement where UAE committed $35 billion towards developing Ras El-Hekma coastal region located about 350 km northwest from Cairo.

Over 1,600 Emirati companies operate within Egypt reflecting strong economic ties between these two nations.

With inputs from WAM