Alexandria Port Authority received the latest additions to its fleet of marine units namely the anti-pollution launches Kasht 5 and Kasht 6, which were built over 30 months to be a new addition to the Authority's capabilities and another step in its plans to transform into a green port that is comparable to the most advanced global ports in the field of preserving the marine environment. Rear Admiral / Ahmed Hawash - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Alexandria Port Authority and Rear Admiral / Hesham Safwat - Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for Operation - inspected the launches and examined their advanced capabilities as their compatibility with the latest international systems was taken into account as well as with the standards of one of the largest international classification bodies as the launches were built in accordance with the classification of the Italian supervisory body RINA. In the same context the Authority was keen during the design and construction processes to provide the latest advanced systems in these two launches as they were equipped with a NORIS alarm control and operation system which is the system that marine units are being equipped with for the first time at the Alexandria Port Authority. They also have a Scania engine with a power of 800 horsepower. The launches are characterized by the presence of modern pollution control equipment of the remote control type for ease of control without the unit intervening within the pollution area. Oil scraping units are spread in the launches in the front and middle While at the rear of the unit there is a reel of fast-spreading oil barriers as each launch has 165 meters of barriers. The launches were also equipped with a dispersal spraying system. It is noteworthy that this project was started by contracting with the Egyptian Ship Repair and Construction Company in March 2022. They were built under the supervision of a committee of specialists from the Alexandria Port Authority especially from the Environmental Protection Department and the Marine Services Department at the port which is concerned with managing and operating the various marine units and is known for its efficiency excellence and professionalism in managing the fleet of marine units from launches and tugs. It was taken into account to train the launch crew on operation and sailing at the highest level. The trial operation is scheduled to begin on 10/9/2024 in preparation for their entry into actual service.
