The port of Sokhna, on the Red Sea, has launched the experimental phase of exploitation of its new terminal of general goods and bulk. The first vessel, GAMBELLA, landed 1,460 tons of batteries for an energy storage system.
The trial phase began on 15 September 2026 under the supervision of the Egyptian Ministry of Transport, represented by the Egyptian Marine Ports Society. The GAMBELLA, represented by the Dominion Marine Agency, was moored at the terminal before unloading and handling its cargo.
The operations were carried out with the coordination of the port authorities and the various providers concerned. The Suez company of handling and stowage has in particular provided unloading according to the information provided.
This period shall enable the integrated operation of the terminal to be verified before its gradual transition to full operation. According to Minister of Transport Kamel El-Wazir, the tests include the availability of docks, storage and handling areas, equipment, personnel and operational systems.
The authorities must also measure the performance related to the reception of ships, unloading, movement and storage of goods in order to identify any adjustments.
The terminal has a handling area of approximately 397,000 m2, two wharfs totalling 1,200 m and with a maximum depth of 18 m.
These infrastructures are intended for the processing of various types of general and bulk goods, with an announced annual capacity of around 10 million tonnes.
Customs warehouses and value-added services are still to be set up before full use of the entire area is made.
The terminal is part of the programme of extension of the port of Sokhna and the infrastructure of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE).
The port also has container facilities and welcomed its first commercial vessels on another general cargo terminal in August.
The Egyptian authorities are also planning to improve road and rail connections around Sokhna in order to support the commercial, industrial and logistical activities of the area.
