Marseille Port Delegation Visits Alexandria to Advance Green Shipping Corridor Plan

A high-level delegation from France’s Port of Marseille visited the Port of Alexandria on Wednesday to advance the implementation of a joint declaration of intent signed last year between Mediterranean ports aimed at boosting maritime cooperation and accelerating sustainable shipping initiatives.

The declaration, signed by the ports of Alexandria, Marseille, Algeciras in Spain, and Beirut in Lebanon, focuses on strengthening collaboration in maritime transport, developing green shipping corridors, and promoting environmentally sustainable port operations across the Mediterranean basin.

During the visit, the French delegation held talks with Rear Admiral Ehab Salah, Chairman of the Alexandria Port Authority, to discuss mechanisms for launching a green maritime corridor between Alexandria and Marseille. The proposed corridor would align with international environmental standards and emphasize reducing carbon emissions through the adoption of low-emission fuels.

Both sides underscored the importance of coordinated action to modernize maritime services and logistics infrastructure while responding to rapid changes in global shipping. Discussions highlighted the need to enhance ports’ operational resilience, improve environmental performance, and ensure long-term sustainability in a sector facing mounting pressure to decarbonize.

Officials stressed that the green corridor initiative would serve as a model for regional integration, combining environmental responsibility with commercial efficiency. By reducing emissions along key Mediterranean routes, the project aims to position both ports at the forefront of the transition toward cleaner maritime transport.

The two parties also reaffirmed their commitment to continued coordination in defining the technical and operational frameworks required to activate the joint declaration. Upcoming phases will focus on implementation roadmaps, performance benchmarks, and alignment with international maritime sustainability targets.

As part of the visit, the Marseille delegation conducted a field tour of key Alexandria port facilities. The program included inspections of the Tahya Misr multipurpose terminal, the passenger terminal, operational quays, and the Alexandria Port Museum. The tour provided insights into the port’s operational capabilities and ongoing modernization projects.

The visit marks a tangible step forward in translating last year’s declaration of intent into actionable cooperation, signaling growing momentum toward greener, more integrated maritime networks across the Mediterranean.