Egypt Daily News – The launch of the Egyptian-Italian Ro-Ro line between the ports of Damietta and Trieste marks a significant development in maritime connectivity and economic cooperation between Egypt and Italy.
During the conference, attended by various high-ranking officials and industry leaders, Kamel El-Wazir, the Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, expressed gratitude for the collaboration and highlighted the project’s importance in establishing a green corridor aimed at enhancing trade and transportation between the two nations.
El-Wazir emphasized that this initiative aligns with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s vision of transforming Egypt into a regional hub for transport and logistics.
The Ro-Ro line is expected to facilitate the export of Egyptian agricultural products to Italy and Europe, contributing to the country’s economic goals of increasing exports and enhancing dollar revenues.
The minister outlined the project’s progress, mentioning past negotiations and ongoing cooperation with the Italian government. Key incentives were also announced to ensure the project’s success, including significantly reduced port and transit fees as well as robust legal frameworks completed for operational activities.
The Minister of Agriculture highlighted the significant contributions of Egyptian agricultural exports to the nation’s foreign currency reserves, with the total value reaching approximately $9.2 billion.
To optimize export capabilities, the Ministry has enhanced the capacities of its internationally accredited reference laboratories and ensured they operate 24/7 to assist exporters and producers.
Moreover, a unified laboratory system at customs ports has been implemented to streamline oversight and reduce customs clearance times for goods. This system has successfully cut clearance times to 48 hours or less, facilitated by an electronic link for sample analysis.
Additionally, the introduction of the Ro-Ro fast transport line is a key development in the maritime transport sector, enabling quicker transportation of agricultural products from Egypt to Italy via the Port of Damietta.
This initiative addresses the logistical challenges during peak export periods from November to January, particularly for fresh produce like strawberries and grapes, while ensuring product quality.
The Minister expressed gratitude to the Deputy Prime Minister and emphasized the importance of increasing Italian investments in the agricultural sector, positioning the Ro-Ro transport line as a bridge of goodwill between Africa and Europe.
Promoting the line and its goods was stressed as a priority, with engagements planned with various stakeholders and international participation in trade exhibitions to boost awareness and utilization of the service.
The operational timeline was shared, with the first actual voyage planned for November 29, 2024, following the arrival of the ship on November 23. The initiative aims to foster collaboration between the private sectors of both countries to secure long-term success and economic benefits.
