Egyptian government has launched first Ro- Ro line voyages between Damietta port and Italian Terista port on past November 28th; within the framework of its efforts to reinforce foreign trade traffic and increasing exports’ volume to European market. The line operation results from transport ministry strategy to support national economy and facilitate international trade exchange.
The line is distinguished with its great capabilities in transporting vegetables and agricultural crops and Egyptian products to Italy and from it to Europe and vice versa , using reefers and trucks, hence participating in reducing shipping costs and reducing time of cargo arrival, in addition to enhancing Egypt ability being a logistic center between Europe and Africa, Also the line supports increase of Egyptian exports from agricultural and industrial products and provides with more than 2000 job opportunity for Egyptian drivers and other jobs in the fields of transport and shipping.
The line is based on the principle of reciprocity between the two ports, where ports’ dues were reduced from 26050 dollars to 3250 dollars for the voyage , with reduction percentage reaching 88%. Also an area of 35 thousand square meter has been allocated for the sake of the project and delivery of services to it, in addition to issuing a governmental credit letter from Damietta port authority for the benefit of Egyptian Customs, and providing with (X-RAY device for the project and also digital applications have been developed to integrate between Damietta port and Italian port platform, also exchanging official documents and Customs data and accreditation of RFID technique to assure digital seals safety.
A memorandum of understanding has been signed twinning Egyptian and Italian Customs, and accreditation of electronic seal for refrigerated containers that make an alarm once the container is opened or once there is a change in temperatures degree. Moreover, Egypt join to Vienna agreement 1968 for solving obstacles of metal panels and dues and also the reduce of traffic dues on Egyptian roads from 300or 350dollars to 100dollars only (whether export or import) in addition to entrance and exit of foreign vehicles and drivers and providing with all safety conditions, and all Ro-Ro voyages pass weekly; where the vessels travel from Triesta port to Damietta port at 3pm every week and departs from Damietta port to Triesta at 10am every Friday and reaches Triesta on Monday at 10am and returns to Damietta at 6pm. Egyptian cargoes that reach Triesta are transported to Rotterdam city through a specialized cargo train and from it to Holland, England and Belgium by land transport means.