During his visit to Asia’s first fully automated terminal, the New Qianwan Container Terminal, Tarek El Khouly, vice-chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Egyptian House of Representatives, expressed his amazement at the sight of all the machines operated by computers. He emphasized the importance of applying such automation technologies in Egypt’s ports, particularly Alexandria Port and the Suez Canal, given their location bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
Khouly and over 40 youth representatives from African countries visited the Qianwan Container Terminal as part of the 7th China-Africa Youth Festival. With the capacity to accommodate container ships capable of carrying up to 24,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and designed to handle 5.2 million TEU containers annually, the terminal’s automation technology reduces workforce requirements by 80%, making it 30% more efficient than traditional terminals.
Khouly believes Egypt should learn from China’s automated terminal operations, which he describes as highly efficient and convenient. He suggested that Egypt should cooperate with China to boost port development and improve bilateral trade links. He cited COSCO Shipping Ports Ltd (CSPL), a Hong Kong-listed company, investing $375 million for a 25% stake in a new container terminal at Egypt’s Ain Sokhna Port as an example of this cooperation.
Furthermore, Khouly highlighted the need for the two countries to jointly promote modern tourist development and attract tourists to each other’s countries. He suggested that direct flights between Egypt and China should be increased, and that Egypt should draw on China’s experience in tourism management and safety guarantees.
Finally, Khouly discussed the need to enhance the synergy between the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Egypt’s Vision 2030 to attract Chinese investment and strengthen bilateral economic and trade ties. One of the flagship projects under the BRI framework is the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, which has gradually become one of the important platforms for China-Egypt economic and trade cooperation.
