UN/LOCODE: EGAIS📍 Egypt

Port of Ain Sukhna (UN/LOCODE EGAIS)

❖ Coordinates: 29.6326°N, 32.3300°E

❖ Time Zone: Africa/Cairo

❖ UN/LOCODE: EGAIS

## About the Port Ain Sukhna (UN/LOCODE: EGAIS), situated in the Suez Governorate, Egypt, at coordinates 29.6325617 Latitude, 32.3300171 Longitude, is a pivotal deep-water port on the western shore of the Gulf of Suez, a strategic arm of the Red Sea. Operating within the Africa/Cairo timezone, it is uniquely positioned approximately 120 kilometers east of Cairo and, crucially, at the southern gateway to the Suez Canal. This strategic proximity positions Ain Sukhna as a critical maritime hub, facilitating seaborne trade between Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Developed as a modern, multi-purpose port, it serves as a cornerstone of Egypt's ambitious Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), designed to attract foreign direct investment, foster industrial development, and enhance Egypt's global logistics and trade standing. Its state-of-the-art facilities and natural deep drafts accommodate some of the world's largest container vessels, distinguishing it as a significant player in regional and international shipping networks. ## History The development of Ain Sukhna Port is relatively recent, initiated in the early 2000s as part of Egypt's broader strategy to modernize its maritime infrastructure and capitalize on its unique geopolitical position. Unlike historical Egyptian ports, Ain Sukhna was conceived as a purpose-built, industrial-focused port designed to support a new economic zone. The construction and initial operations were largely driven by significant investment and expertise from global port operators. DP World, a leading global port operator, played a foundational role through its concession for the Sokhna Port Development Company (SPD), overseeing the design, construction, and management of the port's primary terminals. The port commenced operations in 2002, initially focusing on container and general cargo throughput. Subsequent phases of expansion, propelled by the vision for the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), have dramatically increased its capacity and diversified its capabilities. These expansions have involved the addition of new berths, specialized terminals, and advanced logistics infrastructure, transforming it from a nascent facility into a robust multimodal logistics node. This continuous development underscores Egypt's commitment to leveraging Ain Sukhna as a lynchpin for its economic growth and a key component of its national logistics master plan, particularly in light of regional trade dynamics and global supply chain demands. ## Infrastructure & Facilities Ain Sukhna Port boasts a comprehensive suite of modern infrastructure and facilities designed to handle a diverse range of cargo types and vessel sizes, making it a highly versatile maritime gateway. ### Terminal Capabilities The port is equipped with several specialized terminals: * **Container Terminals:** Operating with impressive deep drafts, typically exceeding 17 meters, these terminals are capable of accommodating Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) exceeding 20,000 TEU capacity. They feature advanced quay cranes (STS cranes) with outreach to handle wide beam vessels and extensive yard equipment for efficient container stacking and movement. DP World Sokhna operates a significant portion of the container capacity, leveraging cutting-edge technology for cargo handling. * **Bulk Terminals:** Dedicated berths handle both dry bulk (e.g., grains, cement clinker, minerals, fertilizers) and liquid bulk (e.g., crude oil, refined petroleum products, petrochemicals). These terminals are integrated with conveyor systems, storage silos, and pipelines to ensure rapid and safe transfer of commodities. The proximity to industrial complexes within the SCZone further enhances their utility. * **Ro-Ro Facilities:** Specialized ramps and berths are available for the efficient loading and unloading of roll-on/roll-off cargo, primarily vehicles (Completely Built Units - CBUs) and heavy equipment. * **General Cargo Berths:** Versatile berths cater to project cargo, breakbulk, and other specialized cargo that does not fit standard container or bulk categories. ### Connectivity & Logistics Ain Sukhna's strategic location is amplified by its robust intermodal connectivity: * **Road Network:** Excellent highway connections link the port directly to major industrial zones, Cairo, and other principal cities, facilitating seamless inland distribution and collection. * **Rail Links:** Ongoing and planned railway projects aim to integrate Ain Sukhna into a national rail network, including potential high-speed rail connections, which will significantly enhance its capacity for multimodal transport and reduce logistical costs. * **Warehousing & Free Zones:** Extensive bonded and non-bonded warehousing facilities, along with dedicated logistics parks within the surrounding Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), offer value-added logistics services, including storage, distribution, light manufacturing, and assembly. This includes significant cold storage capacity for perishable goods. * **Marine Services:** The port provides comprehensive marine services, including pilotage, tug assistance, bunkering (fuel and lubricants), fresh water supply, waste disposal, and ship repair/maintenance services, leveraging its proximity to the Suez Canal's extensive marine service infrastructure. ### Future Development Continuous investment targets significant expansion in berth capacity, terminal automation, and digital integration. Plans include further deepening of channels, acquisition of more advanced handling equipment, and the development of new specialized terminals to support the growing industrial base within the SCZone. These initiatives aim to solidify Ain Sukhna's position as a regional megaport and a critical node in global supply chains. ## Economic Importance Ain Sukhna Port is a cornerstone of Egypt's national economic development strategy, particularly within the framework of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone). Its strategic significance transcends mere cargo handling, acting as a powerful catalyst for economic growth and regional integration. ### Regional & National Impact * **Engine for the SCZone:** The port serves as the primary maritime gateway for the SCZone, a vast industrial and logistics hub designed to attract billions in foreign direct investment (FDI). It enables raw material imports for manufacturing and finished goods exports, driving industrialization in sectors such as petrochemicals, automotive, textiles, and renewable energy. This directly contributes to job creation, technological transfer, and economic diversification. * **Trade Facilitation:** As a modern deep-water port on the Red Sea, Ain Sukhna enhances Egypt's overall trade capacity, reducing reliance on other congested ports and providing an alternative, resilient trade artery. It significantly boosts Egypt's export competitiveness by offering efficient access to Asian and East African markets, while also streamlining the import of essential goods and industrial inputs. * **Logistics Hub Development:** By providing state-of-the-art infrastructure and extensive logistics services, Ain Sukhna reinforces Egypt's ambition to become a premier regional logistics and distribution hub. Its integration with road and future rail networks facilitates seamless multimodal transport, offering cost-effective and time-efficient supply chain solutions for businesses operating in the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. * **Diversification of National Revenue:** Beyond the revenues generated from port operations, Ain Sukhna contributes indirectly to national income through customs duties, taxes from industrial activities, and the economic multiplier effect of investment and employment within the SCZone, diversifying Egypt's revenue streams. For more details on the SCZone's strategic initiatives, refer to the official Suez Canal Economic Zone website↗. ### Supply Chain Resilience Ain Sukhna plays a crucial role in enhancing global supply chain resilience, particularly for cargo transiting the Suez Canal. It offers an alternative berthing option for vessels, contributing to redundancy and reducing potential bottlenecks or disruptions that might affect traditional canal transits. Its operational efficiency and capacity for large vessels mitigate risks associated with port congestion and ensure smoother cargo flow, vital for international trade stability. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo Ain Sukhna's strategic location at the southern entrance of the Suez Canal on the Red Sea positions it as a critical node in several significant global trade routes. ### Key Trade Corridors * **Asia-Europe Corridor:** Ain Sukhna is a vital transshipment and direct call port for vessels plying the high-volume Asia-Europe trade route via the Suez Canal. It offers an effective alternative to direct calls at Mediterranean ports, allowing for earlier cargo offloading or loading for destinations in North and East Africa. * **Red Sea & East Africa Trade:** The port serves as a primary gateway for trade within the Red Sea basin, connecting Egypt with countries like Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Eritrea, and Yemen. Furthermore, it is a crucial link for cargo destined for or originating from East African nations, including Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya, often utilizing feeder services. * **Intra-Middle East & South Asia:** Direct services connect Ain Sukhna with key ports in the Arabian Gulf, Indian Subcontinent, and Southeast Asia, underpinning the flow of goods across these rapidly developing regions. ### Principal Cargo Types The port handles a diversified cargo mix, reflecting its multi-purpose capabilities and the industrial development within the SCZone: * **Containers:** Constituting the largest share of throughput, containerized cargo encompasses a vast array of goods. This includes manufactured consumer products (electronics, apparel, textiles), machinery, automotive parts, chemicals, and foodstuffs. The port's deep-water berths and advanced cranes facilitate the efficient handling of mega-container vessels. DP World Sokhna, a major operator, frequently updates its service offerings for container logistics; for current information, see DP World Sokhna's official website↗. * **Dry Bulk:** Significant volumes of dry bulk commodities pass through Ain Sukhna. This primarily includes grains (such as wheat and corn, crucial for Egypt's food security), phosphates and other minerals, cement clinker, and various construction materials, supporting Egypt's infrastructure projects and agricultural sector. * **Liquid Bulk:** Given its proximity to vital energy infrastructure and petrochemical industries, Ain Sukhna handles substantial quantities of liquid bulk. This includes crude oil, refined petroleum products (e.g., diesel, gasoline, jet fuel), and petrochemical feedstocks/products, serving both domestic consumption and export markets. * **Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off):** The port is a significant entry point for imported vehicles (Completely Built Units - CBUs), serving the growing Egyptian automotive market and potentially regional distribution. It also handles other rolling cargo and heavy machinery. * **General Cargo & Project Cargo:** Non-containerized and oversized cargo, such as industrial equipment, turbines, construction components, and other project-related shipments, are regularly handled at dedicated or multi-purpose berths. ### Key Operators & Partnerships DP World Sokhna is a dominant operator, managing significant container and bulk terminals, and offering integrated logistics solutions. The port's success is also underpinned by strategic partnerships with major shipping lines and logistics providers, leveraging its integration within the Suez Canal Economic Zone to attract further industrial and commercial enterprises.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

EGAIS

Country

Egypt

Province / Region

Suez Governorate

Latitude

29.632562

Longitude

32.330017

Timezone

Africa/Cairo

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Ain Sukhna?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Ain Sukhna is EGAIS.

Where is Port of Ain Sukhna located?

The Port of Ain Sukhna is located in Egypt, Suez Governorate. Its coordinates are 29.6326°N, 32.3300°E.

What time zone is Port of Ain Sukhna in?

Port of Ain Sukhna operates in the Africa/Cairo time zone.

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About the World Port Index

This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.

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