The Transportation Ministry is making progress towards developing a more efficient river transport system.
The Ministry has just finished preparing the technical specifications booklet for a tender to put up river ports. These projects are expected to be proposed to investors in 2014.
Transportation Minister Ibrahim al-Demeiry said the six ports will require investments of US$180 million. These ports will enhance the transportation of goods via rivers, and will be coupled with the development of shipping routes and installation of navigational aids to ensure safety throughout the journey.
Proposed port locations include Qena, Sohag and Assiut.
The Ministry aims for river transport of goods making up 10 percent of the volume of transport in Egypt during the next five years, instead of the current 0.5 percent.
Edited translation from MENA
