Potential Damietta Port and PSA partnership

DPA chairman Capt. Tarek Shaheen received a delegation from PSA International to “discuss mutual cooperation between the two sides over future projects in Damietta Port,” according to a statement on DPA’s website, which could refer to DPA’s plan to build a new container terminal.

The delegation expressed interest in “joint cooperation in container handling,” said the statement.

Singapore-headquartered PSA issued a “no comment” response to Port Strategy when asked whether any further information about a potential partnership is available and whether any formal agreement is in place.

DPA have not responded to Port Strategy’s request for comment.

New container terminal

Located north of Cairo, Damietta Port has a container terminal with four berths, 14.5m deep. Third generation containerships up to 5000t can be accommodated at the terminal, which has a container stacking yard totalling 600,000m2.

One of DPA’s proposed projects is a new container terminal, with a stacking area of 700,000m2 and a 17m deep berthing area, which it intends to build with partners. Management and operation of the completed terminal would then be awarded to a global operator through a global bid, with a target to handle 4m teus annually.

The port authority’s strategic objectives on its website include increasing throughput to 71m tonnes by 2030 and creating a pro-investment environment that attracts “both foreign and domestic investors”.