EUR 100 billion euro investment for port development along the Suez Canal over the next 20 years

Amersfoort, The Netherlands – The Port Said Port Authority (PSPA) and the General Authority for Industrial Development have commissioned DHV, the Dutch consultancy and engineering group, to draw up a masterplan for the new port and industry complex to be developed to the east of Port Said. The project partners are the Dutch ECORYS and Nile Consultants from Egypt. Port Said is located on the Mediterranean side of the Suez Canal, through which 30% of the world’s container transport and 13% of the world’s trade flows.

DHV is responsible for the analysis of the port and industry complex development required for the stimulation of economic growth in Egypt. It will also design the basic facilities, such as the harbor basins, quays, (rail)roads as well as those for electricity and (waste)water supply. Apart from the hard infrastructure, the plan will also cover management and logistical concepts, safety and customs facilities. Lastly, the plan will encompass residential and recreation development.

“This is one of the most promising port projects in the world, and will have to play a pivotal role in Egypt’s economic development,” declares project manager Wim Klomp of DHV. Thanks to the unique location on the entrance of the Suez Canal and the large amount of available construction space, the project has attracted the attention of all the large shippers and terminal operators. The development area involves a total of about 120 km2, which is 20 percent more than the surface of the entire Rotterdam port area. Companies are waiting impatiently to invest in the area and are eagerly looking forward to the future development vision. DHV will draw on its extensive expertise in hydraulic engineering, port operations and industry-complex development to create a strategic and sustainable vision and to advise the Egyptians on its implementation. The projected investment in the port and industry complex by the Egyptian government and the private sector amounts to about EUR 100 billion over the next 20 years.

Last year Port Said recorded the biggest jump in the world rankings of container ports. Currently it is ranked 35th (up from 67th). The goal is to be part of the top ten container ports. “The masterplan is the first step toward meeting this goal,” explains Mr Klomp.

After the recent success of the CH2M HILL, DHV and TYPSA consortium in the Panama Canal expansion project, this project re-affirms DHV’s top expertise in the area of ports, shipping channels and coastal development.