In line with the Egyptian government's policy of strengthening international relations and enhancing cooperation in maritime transport and logistics, and following directives from Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Transport, the Alexandria Port Authority received a high-level Russian government delegation headed by Nikolay Patrushev, Assistant to the Russian President and Chairman of the Russian Maritime Council, and Igor Levitin, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation. The delegation also included representatives from major Russian companies specializing in maritime transport, shipbuilding, and shipping lines, and was on an official visit to the port. The delegation was received by Rear Admiral Dr. Nihad Shahin, Deputy Minister of Transport for Maritime Transport, and Rear Admiral Ehab Salah, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Alexandria Port Authority, along with several other senior officials. The delegation was welcomed, and the depth of Egyptian-Russian relations and the commitment of both sides to strengthening areas of joint cooperation were emphasized. The visit included a meeting between the two sides, during which the operational and logistical capabilities of the Port of Alexandria were reviewed, along with its participation in numerous regional and international projects. The discussion also covered its role as a key hub for trade between Africa and the rest of the world, as well as opportunities for cooperation in maritime transport, the exchange of expertise, and support for supply chains to achieve port integration. The talks also addressed the expansion plans for the Port of Alexandria, aiming to increase its capacity to become one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean. Furthermore, the port's connectivity to logistics corridors within Egypt was reviewed, highlighting its integrated multimodal transport infrastructure, encompassing road, river, and rail transport, which enhances the efficiency and speed of cargo handling to and from the port. Following the meeting, the delegation toured the port, observing its modern operating systems and vessel and cargo management mechanisms, reflecting the level of development achieved by Egyptian ports. The visit also included an inspection of the Tahya Misr multipurpose terminal, where the delegation received a detailed briefing on the terminal's capabilities, advanced technical and operational features, and its role in supporting container and general cargo traffic and enhancing the port's competitiveness. This visit comes within the framework of the Egyptian state's vision to strengthen the role of the major port of Alexandria as a regional hub for transport, trade, and logistics. It also reflects the Ministry of Transport's commitment to opening new avenues of cooperation with international partners, contributing to the state's plans to transform Egypt into a regional center for transport, logistics, and transit trade, and enhancing the position of Egyptian ports on the global trade map.
