Egypt, Russia Ink Maritime Transport MoU, Explore Logistics Corrido

Egypt and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday to strengthen cooperation in commercial maritime transport and agreed to develop a joint roadmap for future projects, Egypt’s transport ministry said.

Transport Minister Kamel al-Wazir met Nikolai Patrushev, aide to President Vladimir Putin and head of Russia’s Maritime Board, along with a senior delegation of Russian companies specializing in shipping, shipbuilding and maritime services. The talks were attended by presidential national security adviser Faiza Aboul Naga and transport ministry officials.

The two sides discussed expanding cooperation across ports, railways and logistics to improve supply chain efficiency between the countries. They also examined plans for a logistics corridor linking Egyptian ports on the Mediterranean and Red Sea, backed by industrial and logistics zones, and connected via a shipping line to Russian Black Sea ports and onward to northern routes.

Wazir said Egypt aims to leverage its strategic location and the Suez Canal to become a regional hub for transport, logistics and transit trade, in line with its development strategy. He pointed to ongoing investments in integrated logistics corridors, dry ports and a high-speed electric rail network.

Discussions also covered cooperation in establishing shipbuilding yards in Egypt, facilitating maintenance for Russian commercial vessels, and localizing maritime-related industries.

Patrushev said Russia sees Egypt as a potential hub for exports to Africa and the Middle East, highlighting the importance of increasing maritime shipping lines between the two countries. He called for advancing joint projects in shipbuilding, port infrastructure and logistics centers for commodities including oil, grains and natural gas.

Representatives of Russian firms presented proposals to launch new shipping routes between Egyptian and Russian ports, localize commercial shipbuilding in Egypt, and collaborate on the design and construction of shipyards and marine equipment, as well as electric river vessels. They also proposed training Egyptian maritime personnel at Russian universities.

Both sides agreed to hold follow-up meetings to finalize a roadmap for implementing joint projects in maritime transport and shipbuilding, the statement said.