Hill has started work managing the superstructure, buildings, and marine works as well as the installation of equipment and utilities as part of the multi-purpose terminal development project at the Safaga Port on the Red Sea.

The port is in the Red Sea Governorate on the coast of Egypt with a “natural broadway” some 60 km (38 miles) south of the major tourist destination of Hurghada and 225 nautical miles south of the Suez port, said Hill President, Middle East and North Africa Waleed Abdel-Fattah.

The multi-purpose terminal will be developed over nearly 810,000 SM and is targeted to be operational in Q4 2025, he said, adding the terminal will be comprised of a 1,000-meter-long quay wall. Once the project is complete, the terminal will be capable of handling 5 million tons of dry bulk and general cargo, 1 million tons of liquid bulk, 500,747 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containerized cargo, and 50,000 car equivalent units (CEUs) of roll on/roll off (RORO).

The development is envisaged to be developed in two phases: Phase 1 and Phase 2. Hill is supporting Phase 1.

“Based on the rationale analysis and market study , we understand that Phase 1 will include 1,680 full container slots; 264 empty container slots; 288 reefer container slots; three ship-to-shore gantry cranes; a container freight station of 3,350 SM; a shaded dry bulk cargo of 15,000 SM; a dry bulk and break-bulk cargo of 22,900 SM; a 310800 SM RORO berth and three multipurpose areas of 31,300 SM, 19,790 SM and 29,200 SM each,” Abdel-Fattah explained.

Partnering with ADEC

Hill has partnered with UAE-based Abu Dhabi Engineering Company (ADEC) to cover the engineering aspects of the required scope of services.

“ADEC is a renowned specialized consultant in the region, and a pioneer in ports and terminals projects who has worked on several previous projects with the Abu Dhabi Ports Group,” Abdel-Fattah said, adding the Hill/ADEC partnership will provide project management and site supervision services in addition to design management and submittals review.

“Participating in this strategic project will enrich Hill International’s experience in ports and terminals in the region. Abu Dhabi Ports Group is a well-established government entity currently operating 10 ports and terminals in the Emirate,” Abdel-Fattah explained.

In line with growing economic cooperation between Egypt and the UAE, the Abu Dhabi Ports Group – a facilitator of global trade, logistics, and industry – signed a 30-year concession agreement with the Red Sea Ports Authority to develop and operate a multi-purpose terminal at the Safaga Sea Port.

This collaboration will see an investment of $200 million over three years to develop the state-of-the-art facility and which, when completed, will be the first internationally operated port serving Upper Egypt.

Besides Safaga Sea Port, the Abu Dhabi Ports Group has also signed two, 15-year agreements, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and three Head of Terms (HoT) concerning ports located in Egypt’s Red Sea region and the Mediterranean Sea, enabling a major expansion of the group’s activities into Egypt. These agreements allow for expanded access to multipurpose terminals, cruise routes, and logistics capabilities in Safaga, Ain Sokhna, Port Said, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, and Al Arish.

“Building of major marine infrastructure to facilitate the movement of container ships and related services along the Red Sea is part of Egypt’s plan to attract investments from global players,” Abdel-Fattah said.

Along with building infrastructure, Egypt is also moving ahead with the establishment of free zones for investors.

Last April, under yet another deal with Abu Dhabi, Cairo approved the setting up of a special free zone and international touristic port in the Ras al-Hikma peninsula, west of Alexandria.

“Our clients recognize the need and the potential for expanding these critical infrastructure hubs,” concluded Abdel-Fattah. “And Hill and our partners have the expertise to help them realize these projects.”