In light of the directives of Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, regarding expanding international cooperation, particularly with African countries, the Alexandria Port Authority received a high-level delegation from the Kenya Ports Authority for a three-day official visit, from Monday, June 2, to Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The visit aims to activate the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two sides earlier this year. It is worth noting that the Memorandum of Understanding was signed during the Egyptian-Kenyan Presidential Summit held in January 2025 at Al-Ittihadiya Palace. It was signed by Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Industry and Transport, and the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, respectively, on behalf of the Egyptian side. The visit was attended by His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and His Excellency President William Ruto of the Republic of Kenya. The delegation was received by Rear Admiral Ihab Mohamed Salah, Chairman of the Alexandria Port Authority, who conveyed the Ministry of Transport's interest in enhancing Egyptian-Kenyan cooperation in the field of maritime transport. During the opening meeting, he emphasized the depth of relations between the two countries and the Authority's readiness to provide all possible technical support to the Kenyan side, particularly in the areas of expertise exchange, training, digital transformation, and environmental sustainability. The visit program included several coordination meetings that addressed ways to activate areas of joint cooperation. The port's most prominent projects and developments over the past years were also reviewed, including expansion projects, digital transformation, and improving the efficiency of logistics services. The visit included field trips to the marine passenger terminal, the port museum, and the "Long Live Egypt" multi-purpose terminal. In addition, the visit included inspections of the docks, the salt lock, the Dekheila Port, and its investment projects. Part of the visit focused on practical and field aspects, demonstrating the Authority's advanced maritime capabilities. An extensive maritime tour was organized aboard one of the newest tugboats that recently joined the Authority's fleet, with a pulling force of 70 tons. During the tour, a real-life tugboat maneuver was carried out to receive a commercial vessel from the moment it entered the port until it docked at the quayside. This maneuver was praised by the Kenyan side for its high level of efficiency in managing maritime operations. Two additional maneuvers were also conducted: the first simulated a marine fire and extinguished it using specialized marine firefighting units, and the second disinfected the water surface using disinfection boats. For its part, the delegation expressed great interest in the environmental and digital technologies used, the speed of response, and the level of professional training of the maritime unit personnel, reflecting the level of preparedness and development enjoyed by the Port of Alexandria and the competence of its personnel. As part of expanding areas of cooperation, the delegation visited the Egyptian Ship Repair and Building Company, where the two sides discussed prospects for partnership in the fields of marine maintenance and manufacturing. The delegation also visited the Port Training Institute, where discussions focused on establishing effective cooperation mechanisms in the areas of training and capacity building. The visit reflected both sides' commitment to translating the Memorandum of Understanding into practical steps. At the conclusion of the visit, the Kenyan delegation expressed its deep appreciation for the warm welcome and meticulous organization, affirming its aspiration for extended and fruitful cooperation with the Egyptian side. The Alexandria Port Authority reiterated its full readiness to support joint efforts in all that serves the interests and integration of Egyptian and African ports.
