A consortium comprising Egytrans, a leading Egyptian transport and logistics provider, and Nafith International, , has signed a contract with the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) to tackle congestion and operational challenges at West Port Said Port. The collaboration includes the development of a state-of-the-art Truck Marshaling Yard (TMY) and advanced automation solutions spearheaded by a new joint venture between Egytrans and Nafith International LLC.
As part of this initiative, Egytrans and Nafith International LLC are launching a new company, Nafith Egypt, to digitize and enhance truck flows to and from Egyptian ports. This joint venture will have EGP 60 million in capital with 70% of the shares allocated to Nafith International and 30% to Egytrans.
“Combining Egytrans’ extensive logistics expertise with Nafith International’s international track record and transformative technological solutions, the new company aims to deliver innovative pre-trucking processing and truck operation management solutions to the Egyptian market,” said Abir Leheta, CEO of Egytrans. “Logistics and transport are the lifeblood of trade. Increases in the cost of transport and logistics bring with them a ripple effect on trade flows and commodity prices, and by extension on market competitiveness.
“The land transport sector faces challenges like market fragmentation which lead to underutilized fleets, inconsistent service levels, and higher logistics costs. Delays and inefficiencies can increase operational expenses and also contribute to higher carbon emissions. This collaboration will streamline trucking processes, enhance supply chain performance, and support the sustainability of Egypt’s logistics ecosystem” added Leheta.
“Our collaboration with Nafith Egypt marks a significant step forward in streamlining truck flows in the SCZone and aligns with our shared vision to enhance efficiency and sustainability in logistics,” stated Waleid Gamal El-Dein, Executive Chairman of the General Authority of Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) “By leveraging advanced technologies, we aim to address long-standing challenges, establish West Port Said as a leader in modern port logistics, and drive innovation across the SCZone’s logistics operations, positioning Egypt as a hub for efficient state-of-the-art logistics solutions.”
Gamal El-Din emphasized the importance of developing ports and logistics zones within special economic zones, noting that this integration significantly boosts investment opportunities. The Authority’s revenues reached approximately EGP 8.245 billion in FY 2023/2024, with EGP 5.932 billion of that denominated in US dollars, representing 72% of total revenues, including income from WPS Port. “West Port Said is a cornerstone of Egypt’s port network, strategically positioned at the crossroads of the world’s key sea trade route between the East and Europe. It is one of SCZone’s most significant ports, as it offers a diverse range of commercial berths and logistics services,” added Gamal El-Din. “This project is part of our broader development plans for the port, which include upgrading the Abbas berth and enhancing bulk grain and petrochemical terminals to strengthen its capabilities and position it as a global logistics hub.”
Nourah Mehyar, CEO of Nafith International, stressed the significance of this collaboration, stating, “Partnering with Egytrans on this transformative solution highlights our shared vision to modernize logistics operations and enhance the efficiency of key infrastructure such as the West Port Said Port. Together, we are implementing cutting-edge digital systems and advanced logistics management solutions that have been tested and implemented before in our international and regional subsidiaries. In Nafith Jordan, the first and largest subsidiary of Nafith International, we have implemented digital logistics solutions on a national level, including a Truck Control System (TCS) in addition to a Hinterland Community System for Jordan, Iraq and Oman, on a PPP basis. The Nafith group processes and streamlines more than 12,000 truck trips per day, performing more than 7 million logistics transactions per year. These achievements underscore the transformative value of our technology and solutions, and we are confident they will deliver similar success at West Port Said.”
The Truck Marshaling Yard, located just 2 km from the port, spans 114,000 square meters and is designed to streamline truck movements, improve efficiency, and reduce delays. West Port Said Port, with a total annual capacity of 13 million tons and a capacity of 900,000 TEU, faces significant congestion issues. Trucks frequently park randomly on side roads, causing delays, while limited access via a single main road and outdated manual processes exacerbate the problem. Poor data integration between stakeholders further hinders communication and efficiency.
“Named the SCZone Hinterland Community System, the project seeks to eliminate these bottlenecks by digitalizing truck entry, exit, and permit handling processes while enhancing communication and data integration. Key features include automated gates equipped with RFID and OCR technologies, smart container identification capabilities, Lite Terminal Operating Systems, a Command-and-Control Center, and the integration of hinterland activities to ensure seamless operations,” continued Mehyar.
To further optimize operations, the project incorporates a centralized port registrar that digitally manages registrations for vehicles, drivers, and stakeholders, improving coordination and regulatory compliance. Additionally, the NFLOW digital system, developed by Nafith, will streamline pre-arrival processes, verifying that the right truck arrives at the right location and time with authorized documentation. Accessible via web and mobile app, NFLOW ensures smoother cargo pickup and delivery, reducing delays and improving operational accuracy.
