Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a high-level meeting underscoring Egypt’s growing role in global maritime logistics and sustainable energy, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received Robert Maersk Uggla, Chairman of the A.P. Moller–Maersk Group, one of the world’s leading container shipping and logistics companies. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority Admiral Osama Rabie, and Hany El-Nady, Maersk’s representative for the Middle East and North Africa.
Presidential spokesperson Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy stated that President El-Sisi opened the discussion by highlighting the deep and strategic partnership between the Egyptian state represented by the Suez Canal Authority and the global Maersk Group. The President praised Maersk’s ongoing projects in Egypt, particularly its investments in green fuel production and bunkering solutions for ships, describing these efforts as pivotal in positioning Egypt as a regional hub for both clean energy and international container trade.
President El-Sisi also expressed appreciation for Maersk’s continued expansion at the Suez Canal Container Terminal (SCCT) in East Port Said, a development viewed as a significant boost to Egypt’s logistical infrastructure and economic competitiveness.
Robert Maersk Uggla, for his part, thanked President El-Sisi for Egypt’s proactive role in regional diplomacy, particularly Cairo’s involvement in mediating a ceasefire in Gaza and hosting the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit. He noted that such diplomatic efforts are crucial for promoting stability across the region, including in the Red Sea, which is a vital corridor for global maritime traffic.
The Maersk Chairman reaffirmed the group’s long-term commitment to Egypt, emphasizing the importance of the Suez Canal as a key artery in global supply chains. He praised the canal for offering a more efficient and cost-effective route compared to alternative shipping paths, and commended the Suez Canal Authority for the high-quality services it provides to vessels transiting the waterway.
Uggla also expressed Maersk’s willingness to support Egypt’s efforts in the reconstruction of Gaza, noting that East Port Said could serve a pivotal role in facilitating the transport of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials.
The conversation extended to broader cooperation prospects between Maersk and the Suez Canal Authority, including initiatives in maritime training, logistics, container handling, and port services. President El-Sisi emphasized Egypt’s commitment to creating an investment-friendly environment, pledging to remove any obstacles that might hinder Maersk’s operations in the country. He reiterated the state’s interest in seeing Maersk expand its investments and deepen its footprint in the Egyptian market.
Admiral Osama Rabie also praised the productive collaboration between the Suez Canal Authority and Maersk, underlining the Authority’s ambition to expand the scope of its partnership with the company. He pointed to ongoing infrastructure and technical upgrades at the canal, describing them as key factors in Egypt’s bid to become a regional leader in green maritime services and global logistics.
The meeting served as a reaffirmation of the strategic alignment between Egypt and one of the world’s most influential logistics players, setting the stage for increased collaboration in sustainable shipping, investment, and regional development.
