The “Essen Express” (13,117 TEU) will be the first Hapag-Lloyd vessel to call at the Damietta Alliance Container Terminals (DACT) facility on Saturday, February 14, marking the launch of operations at the new Egyptian terminal.
“We are pleased to see the Damietta terminal enter commercial operations. It represents an important addition to our global network,” said Juan Pablo Richards, Senior Managing Director Region South Europe at Hapag-Lloyd. “The new hub strengthens our position in the East Mediterranean and enhances our ability to provide customers with reliable, efficient and competitive services across key east-west and regional trade lanes.”
Dheeraj Bhatia, CEO Hanseatic Global Terminals and Executive Board Member of Hapag-Lloyd shared: “The successful start of operations at our new terminal in the Port of Damietta marks a significant milestone for our terminal portfolio. As we move toward full operations in 2026, this facility will play a key role in strengthening global supply chains, further enhancing the Gemini Cooperation's industry-leading schedule reliability, and delivering high-quality, efficient services to our customers.”
Damietta Alliance Container Terminals (DACT) has been designed primarily for transshipment operations and is planned to have a total capacity of 3.3 million TEU after the final construction phase. The expected cargo mix is approximately 80 percent transshipment and 20 percent import and export, serving both the Egyptian market, including Damietta and Greater Cairo, and regional markets such as the Levant and the Black Sea.
The DACT facility covers an area of approximately 93 hectares and features a quay length of 1,670 meters with a water depth of 18 meters. The terminal is equipped with 12 fully electric ship-to-shore cranes with a 25-row outreach and 40 hybrid rubber-tyred gantry cranes. Additional equipment includes spreaders, lashing cages, out-of-gauge frames and rail infrastructure with six train lanes, of which two are operational at launch.
Damietta Alliance Container Terminals S.A.E. is a joint venture established to develop and operate the DACT terminal. Shareholders are Hapag-Lloyd Damietta GmbH (39%) (represented by Hanseatic Global Terminals), EUROGATE GmbH (29.956%) and Contship Italia S.p.A (29.956%), together with Ship & C.R.E.W. Egypt S.A.E. (1.00%) and Middle East Logistics & Consultants Group (0.07%).
DACT places a strong focus on occupational safety, environmental performance and energy efficiency. The use of electric and hybrid handling equipment is intended to reduce emissions and support more sustainable terminal operations. The company is actively involved in an open and constructive dialogue with local communities and stakeholders in Damietta.
