The Damietta Alliance Container Terminal (DACT) has officially commenced commercial operations,The new terminal welcomed its first vessel, Hapag-Lloyd’s Essen Express (13,117 TEU), on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
Backed by an investment exceeding $600 million, DACT is designed to serve as a high-capacity transshipment hub for the Mediterranean and North Africa.
- Annual Capacity: Up to 3.3 million TEU.
- Cargo Mix: Approximately 80% transshipment and 20% import/export.
- Key Markets: Egypt (Damietta, Greater Cairo), the Levant, and the Black Sea.
The terminal spans 93 hectares and features a 1,670-meter quay with a water depth of 18 meters, capable of accommodating the world’s largest container vessels.
- 12 fully electric Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes (25-row outreach).
- 40 hybrid Rubber-Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes.
- Rail Infrastructure: Six train lanes (two currently operational).
DACT is a joint venture between Hapag-Lloyd Damietta GmbH (39%), EUROGATE Damietta GmbH (29.5%), and Contship Damietta S.p.A. (29.5%), alongside minority partners.
Matthieu Gasselin, CEO of Contship, highlighted the strategic importance of the launch: “This new hub strengthens our footprint across the Mediterranean and North Africa. Our vision is broad in scope: not only terminal growth, but the development of a competitive intermodal platform serving international markets.”