The Alexandria Port Authority received a high-level Saudi delegation headed by His Excellency Mr. Sulaiman bin Khalid Al-Mazrou, President of the Saudi Ports Authority, to support and enhance joint cooperation in the maritime transport and ports sector. The delegation was received by Rear Admiral, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Alexandria Port Authority, and senior officials. The Ministry of Transport and the Port Authority emphasized their pride in the deep-rooted historical relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, considering them a profound strategic partnership based on brotherhood, shared vision, and complementary roles. This partnership represents a cornerstone of stability in the region, reflecting the conscious political will of the leadership of both countries. Both sides affirmed that the maritime transport and ports sector is among the most prominent areas of cooperation capable of translating these relations into practical and sustainable results. The Egyptian side also commended the qualitative leap achieved by the Kingdom in developing its ports and logistics systems, particularly Jeddah Islamic Port, a key hub for global trade between East and West. The Alexandria Port Authority is one of the oldest and most important ports in the Mediterranean, representing the main gateway for Egyptian foreign trade, handling over 60% of the country's exports and imports, with more than 76 million tons of cargo expected in 2025. The port has undergone comprehensive development, including upgrades to its berths, terminals, logistics zones, and operating systems, enhancing its role in regional and international supply chains and making integration with Saudi ports a strategic and effective option. For his part, the President of the Saudi Ports Authority emphasized the pivotal role of Egypt and its seaports in regional and international trade, noting the importance of deepening cooperation in the coming phase to strengthen maritime connectivity between the three continents. The meeting also addressed a proposal to sign a memorandum of understanding between the Port of Alexandria and Jeddah Islamic Port. This memorandum would encompass coordinating operational policies, exchanging expertise in management, digital transformation, environmental protection, training, and logistics, promoting direct shipping lines, and attracting investments in the maritime transport and supply chain sectors. An agreement was reached to continue coordination and consultation on the technical aspects of cooperation. This was followed by a field visit to the port's key facilities, where the Saudi delegation was briefed on the port's operational capabilities and modern infrastructure. At the conclusion of the visit, both sides emphasized the importance of continued coordination and consultation in the coming phase, translating the outcomes of this meeting into concrete implementation steps that will strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
