The Ministry of Transport continues to implement a comprehensive plan to modernize Egypt’s inland water transport system by upgrading the Nile navigation channel, locks, bridges, and river quays. The initiative aims to enhance the movement of cargo and containers, promote Nile tourism, and strengthen trade connectivity with Sudan as part of the government's strategy to improve the efficiency of the country's multimodal transport network.
The ministry has completed the development of the 120-kilometer Cairo–Alexandria waterway via the Beheira Canal and Nubariya Canal, following dredging works and embankment protection measures. These upgrades provide sufficient navigational depth to ensure the safe passage of river vessels.
The Malah Locks bridges have also been completed, including a 210-meter road bridge and a 48-meter railway bridge. The project enables river vessels carrying double-stacked containers to access the logistics hinterland of the Port of Alexandria. In addition, two new river quays have been constructed within the port’s logistics zone to facilitate cargo and container transport while reducing reliance on road transport.
As part of efforts to improve inland navigation, the ministry has completed the modernization of the 960-kilometer Cairo–Aswan waterway by removing navigational bottlenecks, installing navigation buoys, and completing the River Information Services (RIS) system for the Nile. The system enhances monitoring of river traffic, including around 170 floating hotels, supporting the growth of Nile tourism.
The ministry has also built a new 250-meter river quay at Dandara Port in Qena Governorate to serve grain silos operated by the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade. The facility is designed as a multi-purpose river port supporting both commercial and tourism activities.
To strengthen cooperation with Sudan, the ministry has completed maintenance of the 350-kilometer Aswan–Wadi Halfa waterway and equipped it with navigation beacons to improve the safety of nighttime navigation across Lake Nasser. Work is also nearing completion on a new river quay at Wadi Halfa Port, alongside the redevelopment of the High Dam Port to increase passenger and cargo traffic between Egypt and Sudan.
The Ministry of Transport has further completed the removal of navigational bottlenecks along the Cairo–Damietta waterway and finalized a feasibility study for the redevelopment of the Zefta navigation lock in preparation for implementation. It has also upgraded the Cairo–Ismailia waterway by clearing navigational obstacles and rehabilitating the Mostorod and Abu Zaabal bridges, converting their fixed spans into movable ones. These improvements are expected to better serve the industrial zones of 10th of Ramadan City, Abu Zaabal, and Shubra El Kheima while enhancing the efficiency of Egypt’s inland water transport network.
Source: Akhbar El Youm News Portal.
