CAIRO - 11 March 2026: The Egyptian Ministry of Transport has prepared a comprehensive plan to implement measures and mechanisms that will ensure a strong boost to passenger and freight transport via the Nile.
This comes within the framework of the political leadership's directives for the comprehensive development of all transport sectors in Egypt, including the river transport sector.
It also comes in light of Egypt's status as the country through which Africa's longest waterway, the Nile River, flows, stretching approximately 3,126 kilometers.
Encouraging investment through river transport
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi ratified Law No. 167 of 2022 regarding the reorganization of the General Authority for River Transport.
This law aims to unify the authority over the entire Nile River, making the River Transport Authority the sole responsible entity.
This will contribute to facilitating and encouraging investment procedures and modernizing the entire system.
The plan includes the establishment of a network of river ports distributed across Egypt's governorates for shipping goods and containers and serving passengers.
The plan also could possibly utilize specialized ports for general cargo in cooperation with the Authority.
Implementing the Austrian "RIS" system
The Ministry is carrying out regular dredging, cleaning, and maintenance operations to ensure a safe navigation channel that facilitates tourist and commercial traffic.
In cooperation with a specialized Austrian company, the River Information Services (RIS) system is being implemented to provide electronic maps and track river vessels.
In accordance with President El-Sisi's directives to maximize private sector participation, the Ministry of Transport invites companies to invest in this sector to benefit from its advantages, most notably:
Reducing the burden on the public budget allocated for road maintenance.
Lowering costs, as one river vessel is equivalent to approximately 40 road transport trucks.
Protecting the environment from visual, noise, and air pollution.
Reducing road transport accidents.
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