Noatum Ports, the international ports operating arm of AD Ports Group, confirmed on 06 April 2026 the delivery of three ship-to-shore cranes and six rubber-tired gantry cranes to its new multipurpose terminal in Safaga, Egypt, marking a key step ahead of the terminal’s opening later in 2026.

The Super Post-Panamax cranes were manufactured by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd (ZPMC) and were delivered following ocean transport from China. Their arrival confirmed the start of phased operational activities at Noatum Ports – Safaga Terminal after the completion of major infrastructure works.

Located on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, Noatum Ports – Safaga Terminal is set to become the first internationally operated port terminal in Upper Egypt. The terminal is designed to serve as a gateway for the region and to strengthen connectivity across Egypt, the Middle East, Africa, and global shipping routes. It will handle containers, general cargo, dry and liquid bulk, and Ro-Ro cargo.

The facility will cover about 810,000 m2 and include a 1,000 m quay wall. It is designed to handle up to 450,000 TEUs, 5 million tonnes of dry bulk and general cargo, 1 million tonnes of liquid bulk, and 50,000 CEUs of Ro-Ro cargo. The development also includes administration buildings, workshops, warehouses, authority facilities, roads, utilities, and integrated security systems.

Mohammed Al Tamimi, Chief Executive Officer of Noatum Ports, said: “The arrival of the STS and RTG cranes marks a key operational milestone for Noatum Ports – Safaga Terminal, ahead of its opening later this year as a major gateway for economic development in southern Egypt. This milestone signals the transition from development to operations at a strategically important location. The terminal will serve as a key Red Sea gateway, supporting global trade flows and contributing to Egypt’s economic growth.”

AD Ports Group said it invested AED 193 million in procuring the cranes for Noatum Ports – Safaga Terminal. The cranes form part of the Group’s total $200 million investment commitment for the project, following the award in 2023 of a 30-year concession to develop and operate the multipurpose terminal in partnership with Egypt’s Red Sea Ports Authority.

The project is partially financed through a $115 million facility from the International Finance Corporation, with participation from the National Bank of Kuwait, Egypt, and other institutional investors, as announced by the Group in February 2026. The IFC-managed co-lending portfolio program has a tenor of 15 years.

The Safaga Terminal project forms part of AD Ports Group’s broader strategy to develop and operate port assets across high-growth trade corridors, particularly in Egypt, one of the Group’s most important international markets. The delivery of the cranes also reflects Noatum Ports’ long-term commitment to investing in infrastructure and equipment for terminal operations.