DCHC Achieves record figures with a 28% increase in throughput volume and a 21% increase in the number of vessels during the fiscal year (2023-2024).

Damietta Container Terminal: A Beacon of Success in the Mediterranean and Realizing Egypt's Vision 2030.

In line with the company's philosophy, vision, and mission, and its commitment to providing exceptional services with efficiency and effectiveness, while also having the capability to achieve Egypt's Vision 2030 in accordance with the strategic plan of the Ministry of Transport, which includes meeting targets for throughput volume and revenue, Lieutenant-General / Kamel El-Wazir - Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry, announced. Admiral Dr. Rafik Galal, the Executive Managing Director of DCHC (Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co.) at Damietta Port, revealed that the company achieved unprecedented successes in its history, both in quantitative production and revenue during the fiscal year (2023 - 2024). In line with the political leadership's vision for Egypt to become a global and regional hub for maritime transport and transshipment trade, and with the company's full commitment to implementing this vision and strategy, the company achieved a throughput volume of (1,903,716 TEU) during the concluded fiscal year, marking a 28% increase compared to the previous fiscal year. Additionally, transshipment containers increased by 38%, totaling (1,239,304 TEU), while export containers rose by 16%, totaling (367,015 TEU) compared to the previous fiscal year. Damietta Container Terminal also received (1,106) mother/feder vessels during the concluded fiscal year, representing a 21% increase compared to the (917) vessels that called the terminal during the previous fiscal year. The Executive Managing Director emphasized that the company primarily aims to increase transshipment activities as a key source of foreign currency to support the national economy. At the same time, the company provides appropriate facilities to encourage export and import activities to mitigate the risks associated with the volatile nature of transshipment activities in general.

Damietta Container Terminal: Achieves unprecedented success through a comprehensive development strategy and pioneering marketing vision.

The Executive Managing Director of DCHC (Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co.) stated that these unprecedented figures are the culmination of the hard work and dedication of the company's employees, who work 24 hours a day throughout the year to maintain the status of their company and country. This success is the result of the company's clear vision, successful marketing strategies, and the development plans that have been recently implemented. Following the directives of His Lieutenant-General / Kamel El-Wazir - Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry, to enhance the competitive edge of DCHC (Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co.), the company has adopted a policy focused on providing high-quality services, making it one of the distinguished container terminals in the Mediterranean region. This includes areas such as (container handling, logistics, and enhancing the terminal's appearance). In this context, the company has recently executed development projects based on several pillars: (improving the company's internal work system, expanding storage areas at the terminal, enhancing logistics activities, improving service quality for terminal customers, and introducing new services and activities, as well as marketing efforts). Regarding the first pillar, the development of the company's internal work system, the terminal gates have been fully upgraded with the installation of electronic gates at the main entrance, which are now automatically integrated with the company's operational system (NAVIS N4) to ensure complete control over the entry and exit of containers to and from the company’s storage yards and berths. Additionally, a waiting area for idle equipment at the terminal and a parking area for the company's employees have been established.

Damietta Container Terminal increases its storage capacity and enhances the accommodation of refrigerated containers through infrastructure development.

As for the second pillar, which involves increasing the terminal’s storage capacity, this was achieved by utilizing previously unused storage areas at the terminal. These areas were prepared with the necessary infrastructure, mapped out, and connected to adjacent storage spaces, thereby expanding the terminal’s total storage capacity from the previous 830,000 square meters to 1,000,000 square meters (1 million square meters). Additionally, the capacity for refrigerated container storage was increased from 1,850 to 2,000 refrigerated containers, with ongoing work to further expand this capacity to 2,300 electrical outlets.

Damietta Container Terminal enhances its logistics activities by establishing a modern refrigerated area to support chilled goods and upgrading the shared warehouse (L.C.L).

Regarding the third pillar, which focuses on enhancing the company's logistics activities, a refrigerated container yard has been established with a total of 20 (40-foot) containers, covering an area of 1,200 square meters. This new facility is used for pre-cooling export goods as well as for storing incoming goods before they leave the terminal. This development aligns with the recently signed agreement to operate a Ro-Ro service between Damietta Port and the Port of Trieste in Italy.

Additionally, the shared warehouse (L.C.L) has been upgraded, with a total area of 4,200 square meters. Several contracts have been signed with major clients to maximize the warehouse's storage capacity. A new storage area of 1,300 square meters has also been created to support logistics activities, specifically targeting incoming cars to Damietta Port, in addition to storing other general cargo.

Damietta Container Terminal supports the export of Egyptian horticultural products to Europe with high efficiency and receives praise from shipping lines.

In line with Egypt's policy to encourage and expand the export of Egyptian horticultural products to Europe, and in accordance with the directives of His Lieutenant-General / Kamel El-Wazir - Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry, to facilitate all procedures related to meeting the increasing demand for refrigerated containers for exporting various agricultural products to Europe via Damietta Container Terminal, the company has placed significant emphasis on the export season for horticultural products from Egypt to European ports. This is particularly true for the grape ?? export season, with grapes being shipped in refrigerated containers from Damietta Container Terminal to European ports through regular shipping lines from the Eastern Mediterranean to Northern Europe.A detailed plan and thorough preparation were made for the grape export season, including full coordination with the operational management of shipping lines MAERSK, Hapag-Lloyd, and MSC to streamline operations and ensure timely delivery of goods to their final ports. The shipping line Hapag-Lloyd sent a letter of thanks and appreciation to DCHC (Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co.) for its outstanding performance and professionalism in handling the shipping line's vessels. This included efficient berthing, yard organization, avoiding congestion or delays, and adhering to agreed schedules during the grape export season. As a result, the goods were delivered to the discharge ports and handed over to customers on time.

DCHC (Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co.) hosted members of the Export Council for Agricultural Crops, led by Deputy / Abd El-Hamid Demerdash, along with representatives from major companies involved in agricultural exports, agricultural quarantine officials at Damietta Port, and a delegation from Pan Marine Agency, represented by Mr. Marwan El-Shazly. They were received by Admiral Dr. Rafik Galal - the Executive Managing Director of DCHC (Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co.) The members of the Export Council and the accompanying delegation expressed their admiration for the high quality of the services provided and confirmed their confidence in DCHC (Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co.). They acknowledged the company's capability and preparedness to serve as a hub for exporting Egyptian agricultural products to Northern Europe.

Damietta Container Terminal enhances service quality by improving the aesthetic appearance and introducing new activities complementary to container handling.

Regarding the fourth pillar, which focuses on the quality of service provided to terminal clients through enhancing the aesthetic appearance, the planning of the terminal’s gate, storage yards, and ship docks has been optimized to ensure the best utilization of container space and avoid any waste of available storage areas. This includes facilitating the movement of equipment between yards and berths, ensuring the safety of traffic within the terminal, and preventing any congestion. The terminal is committed to storing or handling hazardous cargo only in designated danger areas to maintain the safety and security of facilities and personnel. The storage areas have been prepared in accordance with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.

Additionally, a dedicated area for non-standard containers, specifically Out Of Gauge (OOG) cargo, has been added and prepared. Over (30) OOG containers were handled during the year, managed with high professionalism by the terminal's operational team. This achievement represents a new milestone in the ongoing efforts of DCHC (Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co.).

Recent development projects at the company include introducing new activities that complement container handling operations. A new service for repairing containers with certified documentation has been launched, involving a collaboration protocol with a specialized company and the establishment of a dedicated workshop for this purpose. Additionally, a protocol was signed with a sister company, Transportation Works (a subsidiary of the Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport), to use heavy-duty trucks for container transport. This agreement aims to provide container transport services that benefit both companies. As a result, the terminal's fleet of port tractors has reached the global standard of (80) tractors, which enhances productivity and performance levels, ensuring a balance between yard and berth equipment and facilitating a fully integrated operational system within the company.

Additionally, a new storage area of 10,000 square meters has been established. The infrastructure has been prepared, and the area has been planned and designated for use as a storage space for empty containers, as well as for transshipment containers and empty containers related to the railway line from Damietta Port to Alexandria and Sokhna Ports, and the dry port in 6th of October City and vice versa. Currently, (2 to 3) trains per day are being received, each with a capacity of (50) containers.

Damietta Container Terminal on the Dry Ports Map: Launch of the New Dry Port Project to Serve the Integrated Logistics Corridor

In line with the strategic plan of the Ministry of Transport and to serve the integrated logistics corridor (Damietta - Mansoura - Tanta), DCHC (Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co.) is in the process of establishing, operating, and managing a new dry port in New Damietta. A preliminary plan for the dry port/logistics area in New Damietta has been developed in collaboration with the Nile General Company for Roads and Bridges, in preparation for the commencement of construction work. Efforts are also underway to promote the project to major exporters, importers, shipping lines, and leading logistics companies to encourage their participation in the project.

Damietta Container Terminal enhances its marketing efforts, attracts global shipping lines, and achieves record figures in container handling

Regarding the fifth pillar, which focuses on marketing efforts and attracting new clients, the company's senior management has developed a specific strategy and marketing plan aimed at attracting the highest number of global shipping lines. To increase the number of handled containers, additional services were introduced in accordance with agreements made with global shipping lines dealing with DCHC (Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co.), compensating for the service shortfall caused by the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait crisis. Furthermore, global shipping lines such as Maersk have turned to Damietta Container Terminal to fulfill their commitments and contracts for exporting Egyptian agricultural products to European countries. The number of services has also been increased for shipping lines dealing with the terminal, including the Japanese line ONE, the German line HLC, the South Korean line HMM, the Swiss line MSC, among others.

Record performance levels have been achieved on these shipping lines, with a remarkable global record of (1,460) containers handled within just (8) hours on the vessel ONE MINATO. This record highlights the operational efficiency and skill of the terminal’s staff. The Japanese shipping line ONE sent a letter of thanks and appreciation to DCHC (Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co.) for its outstanding performance and professionalism in handling the ONE MINATO vessel. This reflects the confidence of global shipping lines in Damietta Container Terminal's ability to serve as a major hub for transit trade in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Damietta Container Terminal receives container ships with a draft of 16.10 meters for the first time in the company’s history.

DCHC (Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co.) received the giant container ship SALAHUDDIN, operated by Hapag-Lloyd, the vessel was berthed at Container berth No. 1 and handled with 6 giant quay cranes (STS), managing a total of (4,250) container moves for loading and unloading. The SALAHUDDIN measures 369 meters in length, 51 meters in width, and has a draft of 16.10 meters, making it the largest draft for a container ship ever handled at the company's berths since its establishment.

This milestone demonstrates the terminal's capability to accommodate and efficiently handle ultra-large container vessels, reflecting the confidence of global shipping lines in Damietta Container Terminal. This achievement is the result of a major project undertaken by the company to upgrade and deepen its container docks, enabling it to receive container ships with a draft of up to 16.5 meters and capacities exceeding 20,000 TEUs. The terminal is equipped with state-of-the-art quay cranes (STS) capable of servicing these 10-tier ships, and the implementation of the (NAVIS N4) information management system for electronic terminal operations, which positively impacts performance and efficiency. This confirms the terminal's readiness to compete as one of the leading container ports in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Damietta Container Terminal receives a humanitarian aid ship for Gaza, demonstrating its high readiness to handle all types of vessels.

In line with the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to intensify efforts in supporting Palestinian brothers and delivering humanitarian aid and emergency relief materials to the residents of the Gaza Strip, the Tunisian Ro-Ro ship ULYSSE arrived at Damietta Container Terminal on Thursday, July 25, 2024. The vessel, coming from Tunisia, was carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza and was berthed at No. 1 (Ro-Ro berth) at the Damietta Container Terminal.

The ship was promptly handled upon arrival, and its cargo was unloaded swiftly. The Egyptian Red Crescent coordinated with the Tunisian Red Crescent to transfer the aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza. This Ro-Ro vessel, designed for transporting wheeled cargo such as trains and cars, uses a rear ramp for loading and unloading. This operation highlights Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Company's readiness to accommodate and handle all types of vessels and cargo.

The Executive Managing Director of DCHC (Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Co.) extends his sincere thanks and appreciation to all colleagues and partners in success across various sectors of the company for their dedicated efforts and commitment to advancing the company's status. He promises to continue working hard to maintain these unprecedented levels of performance and expresses gratitude to the global shipping lines that consistently place their trust in Damietta Container Terminal. This reaffirms the terminal's readiness to compete as the strongest container terminals in the Eastern Mediterranean. It also highlights our commitment to implementing the political leadership’s vision and the Ministry of Transport’s strategy to make Egypt a global and regional hub for maritime transport, logistics, and transit trade.

Published by Mohamed El-Alfy

www.dchc.com.eg

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Dr. Rafik Abousayed - Hapag-Lloyd AG - Ocean Network Express - CMA CGM - MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company - HMM - EGL- ???????????????? ???????????? ?????????????????? ??.??.?? - KADMAR SHIPPING , ?????????? - Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. - OOCL - SeaLead - Turkon Line - Arkas Line - PAN MARINE GROUP - Marwan El Shazly - Navis - Maersk Line, Limited - Agricultural Export Council - AEC - Egyptian Red Crescent - Croissant-Rouge Tunisien