CAIRO – 23 April 2026: As Egypt celebrates Sinai Liberation Day on April 25th, the Ministry of Transport has released a detailed report on its strategic efforts to support the comprehensive development of Sinai.
Sinai, regarded as one of the holiest places on earth, has remained a top priority for Egyptian construction and development since its complete liberation from Israeli occupation. This liberation marked the culmination of one of history's most successful dual journeys of military action and diplomacy, spanning from the 1973 war to the raising of the Egyptian flag over Taba in 1982.
In its report, the Ministry stated that under the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to transform Egypt into a regional hub for transport, logistics, and transit trade, it has planned seven integrated logistics corridors. Chief among these is the Taba-Arish Logistics Corridor, designed to connect industrial and agricultural production areas directly to Mediterranean and Red Sea seaports.
Key components of this corridor include the rehabilitation and construction of the 500-km El-Ferdan/East Port Said/Bir El-Abd/Arish/Taba railway line, alongside the development of logistics zones in Qantara East, Arish (Rafah), Baghdad, El-Hasana, El-Naqab, and Taba.
Road Infrastructure Projects
North Sinai Governorate
The Ministry has successfully completed a wide network of vital roads, including the Arish-Ismailia Ring Road, the Al-Awja–Al-Jidi Road, and the Al-Qusaima–Al-Kuntilla–Al-Naqab axis. Major development is also ongoing for the Qantara East/Balouza/Arish/Rafah Coastal Road, a 205-km project that serves as a lifeline for the northern coast.
South Sinai Governorate
Completed projects include critical routes connecting St. Catherine to Saal and Feiran, as well as the Nuweiba/Taba and Sharm El Sheikh/Dahab roads. Ongoing work focuses on dualizing the Nuweiba/Dahab road and upgrading the Wadi Watir road, which includes extensive flood protection works to ensure year-round safety and accessibility.
The Sinai Development Train: The 500-km railway project is a cornerstone of the region's economic rebirth. A major milestone was reached in October 2024 with the inauguration of the rehabilitated 100-km Al-Fardan/Bir El-Abd section, marking the return of train service to Sinai after a 57-year hiatus.
Current efforts are focused on the 353-km section extending from Bir El-Abd through Arish to Taba. This includes a 12-km link to the Port of Arish and a branch line to East Port Said to support the NIRC rolling stock factory and international shipping operations.
Maritime and Port Development
Al-Arish Port Expansion
The transformation of Al-Arish Port into a world-class maritime gateway is proceeding in two phases.
Phase One: Includes the 100% completed "Tahya Misr" and "Sinai" piers, totaling 2,165 meters of new quays.
Phase Two: Currently 21.4% complete, this phase involves the construction of the eastern basin, additional marine quays, and extensive breakwaters.
Export Capabilities: Four new cement silos (with a 40,000-ton total capacity) are under construction to facilitate the export of white and gray cement to global markets.
Development at Taba Port is focused on creating a specialized hub for yachts and general cargo. This includes the construction of new marine berths, a yacht marina, container storage yards, and modern administrative facilities to enhance the Gulf of Aqaba’s logistical capacity.
Land and Dry Port Projects
The General Authority for Land and Dry Ports has successfully implemented the Taba Land Port Development Project at a total cost of EGP 200 million. This initiative included expanding commercial activities, upgrading the operational capacity of arrival and departure halls, and installing integrated monitoring, civil defense, and firefighting systems.
In line with the state’s focus on the Arish-Taba axis as a vital development corridor, the Authority has planned a network of dry ports and logistics zones. These projects aim to drive sustainable economic growth and create job opportunities for Sinai residents, who are prioritized for employment and training. These key logistics sites include:
Qantara East Dry Port
Arish Logistics Zone
Baghdad Logistics Zone (adjacent to local cement and marble factories)
Al-Hasana City Logistics Zone
Al-Naqab Logistics Zone (located at the Wadi Watir road intersection)
Taba Logistics Zone (adjacent to the new Taba seaport)
To further enhance efficiency, the Authority established an integrated digital system for fee collection and port management. These upgrades have successfully reduced truck dwell times, minimized waiting periods, and improved overall handling efficiency. Furthermore, a 24/7 central control room now monitors operations to ensure high performance and support the nation's digital transformation goals.
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