Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Saturday conducted an inspection tour of the petroleum facilities at the SUMED Petroleum Port in Ain Sokhna, as the government moves to strengthen the country’s energy supply chain amid growing volatility in global markets.
Madbouly’s visit focused on the port’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification operations and the petroleum products storage and trading terminal, one of the most critical infrastructure hubs for Egypt’s energy sector. The site plays a central role in securing fuel supplies and managing the flow of LNG shipments into the country.
The prime minister was received by Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi, along with Suez Governor Major General Hany Rashad and several senior officials from the petroleum ministry and port authorities.
Officials said the inspection reflects the government’s efforts to ensure the readiness of infrastructure used to receive and process LNG shipments. Regasification vessels stationed at the port convert imported liquefied gas back into its gaseous form before it is pumped into the national gas grid.
Madbouly praised the Petroleum Ministry’s work in maintaining the port’s operational readiness, emphasizing the importance of ensuring uninterrupted deliveries of LNG, fuel oil, crude oil, and refined petroleum products.
“The facility must remain fully prepared to handle shipments efficiently and safely,” Madbouly said during the tour, highlighting the strategic role the port plays during periods of regional and global instability.
Minister Badawi described the SUMED petroleum port in Ain Sokhna as a key pillar for securing Egypt’s energy supplies, noting that it has evolved into a major hub for crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas.
He also highlighted the port’s historic role in transporting crude oil from Gulf countries to European markets, making it a critical link in international energy trade.
Badawi noted that the petroleum products and LNG storage and trading terminal, inaugurated in 2019 by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, was designed with a forward-looking vision to act as a strategic safeguard during global energy market disruptions.
The petroleum minister revealed that Egypt implemented a proactive infrastructure expansion plan during the 2024/25 fiscal year to strengthen LNG import capabilities at Sokhna.
The plan included upgrading marine berths and connecting three floating regasification units (FSRUs) operating within the facilities of the SUMED and Sonker ports in the Sokhna area.
A fourth regasification vessel and marine berth have also been installed in Damietta, bringing the combined capacity to around 2.7 billion cubic feet of gas per day.
According to the ministry, the expanded capacity is designed to meet domestic demand and ensure reliable supplies for critical sectors including electricity generation and industry.
Badawi added that approximately 1,500 workers from Egypt’s petroleum sector contributed to implementing the projects last year in accordance with strict safety and quality standards.
During the tour, the minister also briefed the prime minister on recent developments in global energy markets.
Badawi said prices for petroleum products and natural gas have surged sharply in recent days, largely due to military operations involving Iran and attacks affecting several Gulf countries.
He warned that many nations are facing mounting challenges in maintaining steady supplies, not only because of rising prices but also due to production disruptions at some energy fields, logistical obstacles, and increased transportation risks linked to the escalating regional tensions.
The minister also reviewed recent increases in retail fuel and energy prices in several countries as governments attempt to cope with the rapidly changing global energy landscape.
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