June 27, 2025
Egypt’s National Navigation Company has signed to build two new kamsarmax vessels at China’s Hantong Shipyard, as part of the efforts to modernize and expand the national fleet.
The two new vessels, each with a capacity of 82,000 tons, will be built according to the latest international environmental standards, according to the Egyptian Prime Minister’s statement on 24 June. Furthermore, the newbuildings will feature the latest hull designs for reduced fuel consumption as well as MAN B&W engines.
The ships will also be fitted with emission control and advanced navigation systems, aiming to ensure optimal performance and compliance with future global environmental regulations. The delivery is scheduled for September and November 2028.
Lieutenant General Engineer Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, witnessed the signing of a contract between the National Navigation Company and the Chinese Hantong Shipyard for the construction of the two new vessels.
Moreover, as announced, the order comes as a part of the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives to position Egypt as a regional hub for transport, logistics and trade and to revitalize the national commercial fleet.
The Egyptian Ministry of Transport aims to expand its commercial fleet to 36 vessels by 2030. With this new contract, the National Navigation Company will have added six new ships to its fleet over the past three years replacing approximately 54% of its older vessels, bringing the total fleet size to 18 ships.