Egypt has announced that it plans to launch a regular maritime line from the port of Ain Sokhna, east of Cairo, to East African countries in October with the aim of ensuring the arrival of Egyptian goods as well as boosting exports to East African countries and landlocked countries, including Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

In a press statement May 19, Public Enterprise Sector Minister Hesham Tawfik said the new maritime line will help boost trade to Africa, transport goods and provide logistical services to exporters and importers, with the aim of promoting trade between Egyptian and African countries and reaching new markets to support the national economy.

The minister also said the new maritime line will help Egypt enhance its role as a northern gateway to African trade with European countries. He added that the line will provide elements of logistical support from transport, warehousing and insurance services.

Construction for the line started this month; the line is to start in October. The government did not announce the cost of the project and said it will be paid for by the Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport.