UAE’s AD Ports Group to support cruise tourism in Egypt  

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AD Ports Group initialled a 15-year concession agreement with the Red Sea Port Authority (RSPA), to operate and manage three cruise terminals at Safaga, Hurghada, and Sharm El Sheikh ports. The agreement also encompasses the renovation of the Sharm El Sheikh terminal, with the ultimate aim of enhancing the cruise tourism experience in Egypt. A definitive concession agreement is expected to be concluded in the first quarter of 2024, subject to regulatory approvals.

The collaboration will see AD Ports Group investing $3m over 15 years in the management and operation of the three cruise terminals to provide new services, improve access for cruise operators, and add new itineraries through the Group’s cruise terminal network in the Red Sea.

This will strengthen AD Ports Group’s cruise business in the Red Sea region, supporting volumes of cruise passengers and elevating passenger and cruise experiences.

Ahmed Al Mutawa, regional CEO, AD Ports Group, said: “This agreement is a testament to our commitment to fostering tourism in the Red Sea region, as well as strengthening the existing ties between the UAE and Egypt.”

This latest partnership comes in the wake of signing a definitive concession agreement between AD Ports Group and RSPA for developing and operating a multi-purpose terminal at Safaga Sea Port.

This collaboration will see an investment of US$200m over three years, aimed at developing a state-of-the-art facility within the strategic location of the Red Sea. It will be the first internationally operated port serving the Upper Egypt region.

In 2023, the group inaugurated the Aqaba Cruise Terminal, the first-of-its-kind facility in Jordan. This new addition to the group’s Red Sea portfolio forms part of its cruise expansion strategy aimed at elevating passengers’ cruise experience, globally.