Commercial operations have commenced at Damietta Alliance Container Terminals (DACT) in Egypt, with the 13,117 TEU Essen Express becoming the first vessel to call at the new facility.
DACT has been designed primarily for transshipment operations and is planned to reach a total capacity of 3.3 million TEU following the final construction phase. The expected cargo mix is approximately 80 percent transshipment and 20 percent import and export, serving the Egyptian market – including Damietta and Greater Cairo – as well as regional markets such as the Levant and the Black Sea.
The terminal covers approximately 93 hectares and features a quay length of 1,670 meters with a water depth of 18 meters.
The facility is equipped with 12 fully electric ship-to-shore cranes with a 25-row outreach and 40 hybrid rubber-tyred gantry cranes. Additional equipment includes spreaders, lashing cages, out-of-gauge frames, and rail infrastructure consisting of six train lanes, two of which are operational at launch.
Damietta Alliance Container Terminals S.A.E. is a joint venture established to develop and operate the terminal. Main shareholders include Hapag-Lloyd (39%), EUROGATE (29.956%) and Contship Italia (29.956%).
Hapag-Lloyd said the new hub strengthens the company’s position in the East Mediterranean and enhances its ability to provide reliable and efficient services across key trade lanes. The start of operations marks a significant milestone for the company’s terminal portfolio and will play a key role in strengthening global supply chains as the facility moves toward full operations in 2026.
DACT places emphasis on occupational safety, environmental performance, and energy efficiency. The use of electric and hybrid cargo-handling equipment is intended to reduce emissions and support more sustainable terminal operations.
