Damietta Alliance Container Terminal Begins Commercial Operations in Egypt
- Feb 16
- 2 min read
Damietta Alliance Container Terminals (DACT) in Egypt has officially commenced commercial operations, marking a new phase for maritime logistics in the eastern Mediterranean. The terminal’s launch was marked by the first port call on 14 February 2026 by Hapag‑Lloyd’s 13,117 TEU vessel Essen Express, signalling the start of regular service at the facility.
The terminal is designed primarily for transshipment operations, with a planned annual handling capacity of up to 3.3 million TEU after the final phase of construction. Around 80 % of the expected cargo mix is projected to be transshipment traffic, with the remainder for import and export flows serving Egyptian markets such as Damietta and Greater Cairo, as well as regional destinations including the Levant and the Black Sea.
Located in the Port of Damietta, the DACT facility spans approximately 93 hectares, with a quay stretching 1,670 metres and water depth of 18 metres. The terminal is equipped with modern handling infrastructure, including 12 fully electric ship‑to‑shore cranes with 25‑row outreach and 40 hybrid rubber‑tyred gantry cranes, alongside additional equipment and rail connectivity to support efficient operations.
DACT has been developed and is operated by a joint venture comprising Hapag‑Lloyd Damietta GmbH (39 %), EUROGATE Damietta GmbH (29.5 %), Contship Damietta S.p.A. (29.5 %), along with minority partners Ship & C.R.E.W. Egypt S.A.E. (1 %) and Middle East Logistics & Consultants Group (1 %). The first phase of the project reflects an investment in excess of USD 600 million in infrastructure and equipment.
Officials involved in the terminal’s operation highlighted its strategic importance for enhancing service reliability and connectivity across key east–west and regional trade lanes. As full operations ramp up through 2026, the facility is expected to play a significant role in strengthening global supply chains and improving port capacity in the region. This launch represents a significant advance in Egyptian port infrastructure and adds a modern transshipment hub to the eastern Mediterranean’s logistics landscape, reinforcing Damietta’s role in global maritime trade flows.
Image source: AI
