Nestled on Egypt’s northeastern Mediterranean coastline along the Sinai Peninsula, El Arish Port (Port of Al-Arish) holds a revered historical position and an increasingly pivotal commercial role in the Eastern Mediterranean maritime economy. Under the Egyptian Ministry of Transport’s master strategy to transform Egypt into a global logistics and commercial nexus, El Arish Port has undergone a monumental transformation from a regional fishing and coastal harbor into a modern, deep-water commercial seaport. Vessels calling at El Arish require dedicated, professional port agency representation and technical chandlery from experienced ship chandlers and suppliers in Egypt.
The Strategic Transformation of El Arish Port
The massive redevelopment of El Arish Port serves as the economic catalyst for the industrial development of North and Central Sinai:
- Dredging & Modern Breakwater Infrastructure: Construction of eastern and western breakwaters spanning over 3,000 meters and dredging the entrance channel and turning basin to 14 meters depth, enabling berthing for bulk carriers and general cargo vessels up to 40,000 DWT.
- New Commercial Multi-Purpose Quays: Constructing modern berths totaling over 2,250 meters in length, equipped with heavy-duty paved quayside yards for mineral bulk handling, silo storage, and container freight.
- Sinai Mineral Export Engine: Serving as the direct export terminal for Sinai’s massive natural mineral wealth—including high-purity industrial silica sand, limestone, gypsum, marble, salt, and Portland cement exported to Mediterranean, European, and African markets.
- Intermodal Highway & Logistics Connectivity: Directly connected to modern dual-carriageway highways traversing North Sinai, linking industrial zones in El Arish, Rafah, and Sheikh Zuweid to international sea routes.
El Arish Port Facilities & Marine Capabilities Matrix
The following reference table outlines primary berthing specifications, cargo specializations, handling equipment, and marine support services available across El Arish Port:
| Port Sector / Berth | Draft / Quay Length | Primary Cargo Specialization | Cargo Handling Facilities | Sameh Marine Port Deliverables |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Multi-Purpose Berth 1 | 14.0 m Draft / 915 m Quay | Bulk silica sand, cement, gypsum exports | Mobile shiploaders, conveyor hoppers | Ship agency, deck stores via technical stores |
| General Cargo Berth 2 | 12.0 m Draft / 500 m Quay | Palletized cargo, marble blocks, agricultural freight | Heavy forklift trucks, mobile cranes | Fresh provisions via provisions supplier, water supply |
| Ro-Ro & Ferry Terminal | 10.0 m Draft / 250 m Quay | Truck trailers, Ro-Ro vehicles, coastal trade | Stern ramp linkspan, staging yards | Fast customs clearance under Nafeza ACI |
| Outer Waiting Anchorage | 18+ m Depth (Open Sea) | Pre-berthing holding, technical layover | Licensed pilot and service boat access | Safety inspections via safety equipment |
| Ship Repair & Service Berth | 8.0 m Draft / 200 m Quay | Service craft, tugs, afloat repairs | Mobile repair vans, crane support | Afloat repair via underwater ship repair |
Comprehensive Port Agency & Supply Logistics by Sameh Marine
Because El Arish Port is located in an expanding industrial development zone, commercial vessels require an experienced shipping partner capable of providing complete port agency and supply coordination:
- Full Port Agency Representation: Managing all port authority formalities, immigration, customs manifests under Egypt’s Nafeza system, pilotage booking, and tug assistance.
- HACCP-Certified Fresh Food Provisioning: Supplying fresh local Egyptian fruits, vegetables, prime certified beef, poultry, and dairy delivered directly to the vessel’s gangway using refrigerated trucks from our licensed provisions supplier in Egypt.
- Certified Technical Stores & Hardware: Providing IMPA/ISSA standard deck and engine consumables, valves, gaskets, synthetic mooring tails, and wire ropes from our specialized technical stores.
- Potable Water & Waste Offloading: Delivering certified drinking water via freshwater supply for ships tankers and coordinating certified MARPOL waste reception through ullage disposal services.
- Machinery Spares & Component Overhauls: Sourcing genuine engine replacement parts from our spare parts supply division and providing reconditioned parts via spare parts reconditioning.
Best Practices for Shipmasters Calling at El Arish Port
Vessel command should implement essential planning routines:
- Transmit Pre-Arrival Notice (PAN) 72 Hours Early: Provide vessel particulars, draft, cargo details, and crew lists to ensure timely security clearances and berth allocation.
- Audit Mooring Gear for Mediterranean Swells: Ensure synthetic mooring lines and winches are in optimal condition to withstand open Mediterranean wave action at the berths.
- Ensure Complete Safety Appliance Certification: Verify that liferafts, immersion suits, and fire extinguishers are up to date with certified inspections from our marine safety equipment department.
- Utilize Mobile Rental Equipment: Overcome temporary shipboard equipment shortages using rental diesel generators and compressors from our portable equipment rental catalog.
Why Choose Sameh Marine in El Arish Port
Sameh Marine provides an established operational presence across all Egyptian Mediterranean ports, including Alexandria, Damietta, Port Said, and El Arish. Our experienced boarding agents, licensed customs brokers, and technical logistics squads ensure that your vessel is berthed, loaded, provisioned, and cleared with maximum speed and zero administrative friction.
We also provide certified commercial diving services and in-water hull cleaning through our underwater hull cleaning services team.
To book dedicated ship agency services, arrange fresh provisions, or request a proforma disbursement account for El Arish Port, contact our team through our contact us portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is El Arish Port located, and what cargo does it handle?
El Arish Port is located in the city of El Arish on the northeastern Mediterranean coast of the Sinai Peninsula. It primarily handles bulk mineral exports (industrial silica sand, cement, gypsum, limestone, and marble) as well as agricultural produce and general cargo.
What is the maximum vessel size and draft accommodated at El Arish Port?
Following recent dredging and breakwater expansion projects, El Arish Port features a 14-meter basin depth, accommodating commercial cargo vessels and bulk carriers up to 40,000 DWT.
Can Sameh Marine deliver fresh provisions and technical stores to El Arish Port?
Yes. Sameh Marine operates temperature-controlled delivery fleets that transport fresh provisions, technical hardware, deck stores, and safety equipment directly to your vessel’s gangway in El Arish Port.
How does Sameh Marine manage customs clearance for vessels calling at El Arish?
Our licensed customs brokers process vessel manifests, cargo bills, and ship spares electronically through Egypt’s digitized Nafeza single-window portal, ensuring rapid pre-clearance and zero customs delays.
Are emergency afloat mechanical repairs available at El Arish Port?
Yes. Sameh Marine deploys mobile marine diesel technicians, precision machinists, and IACS-certified welders to perform emergency afloat repairs on main engines, auxiliary generators, pumps, and valves directly at the berth.