Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone will start providing new services to ships in the first quarter of 2023, including catering and fueling, according to a Suez Canal official quoted by state media on Friday.
Mohamed Abdel Aziz, advisor to Chairman on Ports of the General Authority of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) also said that the provision of the new services will start on Port Said and Suez in the northern and southern regions of the canal respectively, the statement by the official said. Up to 20 to 25 services, such as medical evacuation and marine supplies, will be accessible to ships passing through Sokhna Port.
The largest company in this industry and three other companies, the most of which are European, received around four licenses, two of which will be awarded in the Red Sea region and two in the Mediterranean region.
He noted that the license is renewed yearly based on the companies’ performance and that it is anticipated that with the start of the service supply activities, it would reach from 700,000 to 1.3 million tonnes of gasoline during the first and second years.
He emphasized that between 20 and 25 additional services, including the provision of food, water, and oils, as well as medical care, marine supplies, and some minor emergency repairs, as well as the changing of crews and the renewal of some licenses, will be made available to ships transiting the port of Sokhna.
