New Damietta Alliance Container Terminal (DACT) launches commercial operations

New strategic hub now operational: capacity of up to 3.3 million TEUs and over $600 million in investment 

A new key hub for Mediterranean traffic is taking shape on the Egyptian coast: February 14 marked the official start of commercial operations at the Damietta Alliance Container Terminal (DACT) in the port of Damietta, strengthening Egypt’s strategic role in the routes between Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The terminal’s entry into operation inaugurates a new operational phase for an infrastructure designed to become a central transshipment hub in the eastern Mediterranean.

“The launch of commercial operations at the Damietta terminal marks a key milestone in Contship’s growth strategy. This new hub strengthens our footprint across the Mediterranean and North Africa, covering an area of strategic importance for the Group and completing our presence in a central quadrant for international trade flows. North Africa is a market of significant interest, poised to play an increasingly pivotal role in global trade dynamics, and one where we intend to initiate further development projects. Following this initial operational phase, we are already looking ahead to the next step: advancing intermodal development in the Damietta and Greater Cairo area and delivering infrastructure designed to support an integrated logistics system. Our vision is broad in scope: not only terminal growth, but the development of a competitive intermodal platform serving international markets” stated Matthieu Gasselin, CEO of Contship.

Damietta Alliance Container Terminal (DACT) has been designed primarily for transshipment operations and will have an annual handling capacity of up to 3.3 million TEU. The expected cargo mix is approximately 80 percent transshipment and 20 percent import and export, serving both the Egyptian market, including Damietta and Greater Cairo, as well as regional markets such as the Levant and the Black Sea. 

The DACT facility covers an area of approximately 93 hectares and features a quay length of 1,670 meters with a water depth of 18 meters. The Terminal 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 with six train lanes, of which two are operational at launch. 

Damietta Alliance Container Terminals S.A.E. is a joint venture established to develop and operate the DACT terminal. Shareholders are Hapag-Lloyd Damietta GmbH (39%), represented by Hanseatic Global Terminals, EUROGATE Damietta GmbH (29.5%), and CONTSHIP Damietta S.p.A. (29.5%), together with Ship & C.R.E.W. Egypt S.A.E. (1%) and Middle East Logistics & Consultants Group (1%).  The first phase of the project represented an investment of more than USD 600 million. 

DACT places a strong focus on occupational safety, environmental performance, and energy efficiency. The use of electric and hybrid handling equipment is intended to reduce emissions and support more sustainable terminal operations. The company is actively involved in an open and constructive dialogue with local communities and stakeholders in Damietta.