Egypt Daily News – Dr. Mostafa Madbouli, Prime Minister, and Lieutenant General Engineer Kamel Al-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development, Minister of Industry and Transport, witnessed yesterday the raising of the Egyptian flag on the ship “Wadi Al-Arish”, the latest dry bulk ship that joined the commercial fleet of the National Shipping Company.
It was the first time that the ship docked in one of the Egyptian ports “Damietta”, since its official receipt in the first quarter of this year from the Chinese Hantong Shipyard, one of the world’s largest and specialized in building dry bulk ships.
The event was also attended by Dr. Ayman Al-Shehabi, Governor of Damietta, and Major General Tariq Adly, President Damietta Port Authority and maritime transport leaders.
The total tonnage of the ship reaches 82 thousand tons, its length is 229 meters, its width is 32.26 meters and its draft is 14.5 metres. The “Wadi Al-Arish” ship is the jewel of the national commercial fleet, as it was built according to the latest technologies in terms of hull design to reduce fuel consumption, in addition to the main machine being made of Manufacturer MAN B&W.
The ship is also equipped with the latest navigation systems, in addition to its compliance with all international environmental requirements, which qualifies it to achieve the best possible operation for its type.
The Ministry of Transport seeks to modernize and develop the fleet of the National Shipping Company and increase the number of its units, in order to secure the transportation of strategic goods imported into the Egypt, especially wheat.
This strategy began with the purchase and receipt of modern ships of the same type with a capacity of 82 thousand tons per ship, which are the “Valley of the Queens”, “Valley of the Kings” and the “Wadi Al-Arish”.
Two additional ships have also been contracted for and will be delivered during the year 2026.
Presidential directives are to increase the number of commercial ships to reach 36 by 2030 and which would be capable of transporting 25 million tons of various goods annually instead of 20 ships, in order to serve the transport of strategic goods of grain and petroleum, as well as passengers between Egypt and the rest of the world.
