Alexandria Port Cargo Volumes Rise 10% to 82 Million Tonnes on Dry Bulk, Container Gains

Dry Bulk and Containers Drive Alexandria Port to 82 Million Tonnes

Egypt's Alexandria Port handled 82 million tonnes of cargo in the fiscal year 2025/2026, a 10% increase from 74.8 million tonnes the previous year, according to data released by the General Authority for Alexandria Port and announced by Minister of Transport Kamel Al-Wazir. The growth was led by a sharp rise in dry bulk shipments and a solid gain in containerised trade.

Dry bulk cargo surged 19.3% to 36.5 million tonnes, while containerised volumes rose 11% to 28.3 million tonnes. Liquid bulk cargo edged up 1% to 10.3 million tonnes. Container throughput measured in TEUs reached 2.6 million, up 13% year-on-year. The port served 7,026 vessels, with dry bulk vessel calls climbing 21.5% to 1,605 ships, container ships growing 6.5% to 2,418, and liquid bulk vessels up 11.8%.

Passenger traffic also accelerated: the port welcomed over 82,000 sea travellers, a rise of more than 70%. Cruise ship calls jumped 54% and ferry trips increased 25.7%. The minister attributed the port's record to improved operational efficiency, infrastructure upgrades and a national strategy to turn Egypt into a global transport and logistics centre.

Behind the Growth: What Alexandria Port's Performance Reveals

Dry Bulk: A 19% Expansion and Global Commodity Demand

The 19.3% jump in dry bulk tonnage and the 21.5% increase in dry bulk vessels calling at Alexandria point to robust import and export of commodities such as grains, ores and coal. The minister's data suggests the port is absorbing rising volumes without congestion, a sign that recent investments in quay length and handling equipment are paying off. This trajectory aligns with broader agricultural export ambitions and industrial raw material needs in the region.

Container Traffic Reaches New Highs

With 2.6 million TEUs moved and a 6.5% increase in container ship calls, Alexandria is strengthening its role as a transshipment and gateway hub for the Eastern Mediterranean. The double-digit growth in containerised tonnage (11%) indicates that not only are boxes full, but the average weight per container may be rising—typical for manufactured goods and construction materials. The uplift in TEU throughput, outpacing the prior year, positions Alexandria more competitively against regional rivals.

Cruise Tourism and Passenger Ferry Growth Underscore Broader Connectivity

A 54% rise in cruise ship calls and a 70% leap in sea passengers to over 82,000 suggest that Alexandria is becoming a more frequent port-of-call on Eastern Mediterranean itineraries. This sharp recovery, likely fueled by the post-pandemic tourism rebound and new port reception facilities, adds a service‑oriented dimension to the port's commercial profile and supports ancillary sectors such as hospitality and retail in the city.

Operational Efficiency and the Logistics Hub Ambition

The minister explicitly linked the volume records to modernisation of the tugboat, pilotage and marine services fleet, along with new technology systems for vessel traffic management. By his account, these measures are shortening ship waiting times, accelerating loading and discharge, and reinforcing safety and environmental standards. The performance is presented as a building block of Egypt's 2030 vision to become a global logistics and transit trade hub, with Alexandria Port at its centre.

What Alexandria Port's Gains Mean for Exporters, Carriers and Tourism

• For dry bulk shippers: The 19.3% tonnage jump and 21.5% rise in dry bulk vessel calls (1,605 ships) signal reliable handling capacity, but tighter scheduling is likely. Importers of grains, ores and coal should secure berthing windows early and factor in possible peak-season bottlenecks as volumes continue to climb.
• For container lines and forwarders: A 13% gain in TEU throughput and the minister's emphasis on technology-driven reductions in waiting times translate into better vessel utilisation and faster turnaround. Carriers can explore adjusting rotations or adding ad‑hoc calls at Alexandria to capture the rising throughput without incurring delays.
• For cruise and ferry operators: With cruise ship calls up 54% and passenger numbers exceeding 82,000, Alexandria is firmly on the route map of Mediterranean cruises. Operators should engage port authorities now to secure prime berthing slots for the upcoming season and consider Alexandria as a base for pre‑ or post‑cruise excursions.
• For investors and logistics planners: The results reinforce Egypt's ability to deliver on its hub ambitions. Infrastructure funds, terminal operators and supply‑chain firms can take the sustained double‑digit growth as a signal to evaluate partnerships or concessions in the port's ongoing expansion programmes.