President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Thursday 05/01/2017 attended the inauguration ceremony of renovated Safaga Port.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, Defense Minister Sedqi Sobhi and a host of ministers and State officials.

Following his arrival, president Sisi was briefed on the development operations at Safaga port by Transportation Minister Galal Saeed.

Head of the Red Sea Ports Authority Hesham Abu Sena gave a detailed explanation of the project, citing the finalization of the passengers’ terminal at Safaga port in March 2015.

The passengers’ terminal at the port went into service in June 2015, Abu Sena added. Also, he pointed out to the beginning of the second and third phases of the project that include a station that depends on the trip-ticket system.

The Armed Forces have granted a 30,000 square-meter plot of land to be used for expanding main streets and entrances and linking the port to the internal stop for trucks and external parking lots, Abu Sena stressed.

All facilities at the port were also completed, Abu Sena said, pointing to the establishment of a water desalination station at a total capacity of 500 cubic meters and a solar-powered plant with a production capacity of four megawatts.

Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Chairman of the Administrative Control Authority Mohamed Erfan said that Egypt pays great attention to the development of sea ports and waterways to strengthen the navigation movement.

In a related context, Erfan pointed out that Egypt possesses 15 commercial harbors and 25 special ports in the fields of petroleum, mining, tourism and fishing.

The Safaga development project, which serves Upper Egyptian governorates, will achieve remarkable progress in modern means of transportation for passengers, commodities and trucks, Erfan added.

Also, it will play a key role in developing projects and fostering investments in Upper Egypt, Erfan noted.

The development works included renovating the port infrastructure on an area of 440,000 square meters, enhancing the efficiency of buildings, establishing a terminal for passengers and developing the trucks station, as well as expanding cargo storage areas, Erfan stressed.

Transportation Minister Galal Saeed said that 90 percent of the volume of Egypt's trade with other countries goes through Egyptian ports and that requires developing the maritime transport system that helps attract more national and international investments.

The minister added that the ministry’s development plan includes developing infrastructure, attracting national and international investments and upgrading maritime safety and security.

He added that 60 percent of the volume of trade with other countries goes through Alexandria port and that a new terminal in the port will be inaugurated soon in which it will be able to receive the hugest cruise ships in the world.