AD Ports Group is set to receive three advanced Panamax cranes from Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd (ZPMC) for its upcoming multipurpose car
AD Ports Group is set to receive three advanced Panamax cranes from Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd (ZPMC) for its upcoming multipurpose cargo terminal in Safaga, Egypt. This terminal is expected to be operational in the second half of 2026.
The development of the terminal is part of a 30-year concession agreement signed in 2023 between AD Ports Group and the Red Sea Ports Authority (RSPA). Under this agreement, AD Ports Group will construct and manage the facility. The company is investing AED 193 million in acquiring three ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and six hybrid rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes for Noatum Ports – Safaga Terminal.
This investment complements a previous contract worth over AED 420 million for six additional STS cranes and 17 hybrid RTG cranes, also awarded to ZPMC. These will be deployed across multiple projects, including the New East Mole Terminal in Pointe Noire, Republic of the Congo, and Noatum Ports, Luanda Terminal in Angola.
Safaga Terminal
The arrival of these cranes marks a key step in finalizing Noatum Ports – Safaga Terminal, following the appointment of Hassan Allam Construction in December 2023 to handle infrastructure development. This facility will be the first internationally operated port terminal in Upper Egypt, featuring modern infrastructure to support the handling of various cargo types, including dry bulk, liquid bulk, containerized goods, and roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vehicles.
Spanning approximately 810,000 square meters, the terminal will feature a 1,000-meter quay wall, a container handling capacity of 450,000 TEUs, and the ability to manage five million tonnes of dry bulk cargo, one million tonnes of liquid bulk, and 50,000 CEUs of Ro-Ro vehicles. Additional facilities will include administrative buildings, warehouses, workshops, and essential infrastructure such as roads and security systems.
The project will also include a 48,000-square-meter concrete apron, an 80,354-square-meter container terminal with supporting infrastructure, and a 66,360-square-meter area dedicated to general cargo and break-bulk operations.
Ahmed Al Mutawa, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group, highlighted that Noatum Ports – Safaga Terminal will enhance Egypt’s economic development by creating a modern and efficient terminal, improving regional connectivity, and reducing costs for businesses. He reaffirmed AD Ports Group’s commitment to delivering this state-of-the-art facility in partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Transport and RSPA.
This concession aligns with AD Ports Group’s broader expansion strategy in Egypt’s Red Sea region, where the company also operates three cruise terminals in Safaga, Hurghada, and Sharm El Sheikh. Additionally, the Group has agreements to manage a passenger cruise terminal and a Ro-Ro terminal in Ain Sokhna, near the entrance of the Suez Canal.
Through its affiliated maritime shipping companies—Transmar, TCI, and Safina B.V.—AD Ports Group plays a crucial role in connecting both local and international clients, strengthening its presence in the regional and global shipping industry.