What you need to know about Egypt-Italy Ro-Ro cargo line set to launch today

CAIRO – 28 November 2024: The Egyptian Ministry of Transport is set to commence operations for the Egyptian-Italian roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) cargo line between the ports of Damietta and Trieste.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly will witness the commencement of the service and the raise of the Egyptian flag on the first ship departing from Damietta to Trieste, the Wadi El Arish vessel belonging to the Ministry of Transport’s National Navigation Company (NNC).

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What is the goal: The new Ro-Ro line aims to connect Egypt with Italy via a green corridor, transforming Egypt into a regional hub for transportation, logistics, transit trade. It also aims at opening up export markets for Egyptian agricultural goods in the Italian and European markets, thereby benefiting the economy.

The rapid maritime transport line will allow the delivery of perishable agricultural products between Egypt and Italy, facilitating their transfer from Damietta Port to Trieste Port and vice versa in about a day and a half at most.

Refrigerated trucks and containers will be provided for the service in both countries, with the line’s capacity amounting to 420 trucks.

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Why Italy: Egypt views Italy as one of the most prominent countries receiving its exports, particularly fresh agricultural products, which are distributed to other European countries. Additionally, Egyptian ports serve as Italy's gateway to Africa and the Gulf countries.

The Egyptian government has provided all incentives for the project to ensure its sustainability and economic operation. Port fees have been reduced by 88%, with the principle of reciprocity applied.

Meanwhile, transit fees on Egyptian roads have been lowered from $300 for each incoming truck and $350 for each outgoing truck to $100.

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Here is a brief of key points to know about the new Ro-Ro line:

- The main goal of establishing the Ro-Ro Line is to export perishable agricultural products quickly from Egypt to Europe in a short time.

* The movement of trucks to and from both countries is well-organized to facilitate the transportation of goods easily and reduce the stay periods in the port to preserve the safety of the Egyptian product, attracting more demand for Egyptian exports globally.

- The Ro-Ro Line works to increase the volume of Egyptian exports to Italy and European markets, as Italy is one of the most important countries importing Egyptian agricultural products.

* The project provides new job opportunities in the maritime transport and logistics sector, contributing to the development of the Egyptian economy.

- The project contributes to enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries by opening up new prospects for cooperation in the fields of trade, industry, and investment.

* Operating the Ro-Ro Line reduces the cost of transportation between Egypt and Italy compared to other means of transportation, such as air and land transport.

- It encourages Italian investors to establish production projects in Egypt.

* It contributes to linking European countries with Asian and African countries through Egyptian territories.

- It increases the economic feasibility of high-speed train projects.

* A logistics area is targeted to be established behind Damietta Port.