Egypt’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Central Unit has prequalified three consortiums for the contract to design, finance, build, operate and maintain the country’s first dry port in 6 October City.

The firms prequalified to bid for the contract are:

• El-Sewedy Electric (local)/DB Schenker (Germany-local)/3A International (local)
• DP World (UAE)/Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport (local)
• Container Corporation of India (India)/PSA (Singapore)/Hassan Allam Holding (local)

The planned dry port will be developed on 100 acres of land. It is envisaged to include 13 specialised zones to receive and store containers, and liquid and dry bulk cargo. It will also include multipurpose storage warehouses and an administrative area.

The project duration is 30 years.

A further 300 acres have also been allocated for a logistics centre to support the port. MEED understands the centre will be developed at a later stage, potentially as a PPP.

The European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD) funded the preparation of the project in partnership with French consultancy Mazars, UK legal firm Allen & Overy and the local Sarie-Eldin & Partners. Germany’s Infralix, Switzerland’s Infrastructure Management Consultants (IMC), the UK’s Rendel and the local Menarail Transport Consultants provided technical advisory services for the infrastructure project preparation facility (IPPF).

EBRD and the Egyptian government conducted an investor roadshow for the project in London in December last year.

The Transport Ministry, represented by the General Authority for Land and Dry Ports, is the client for the project.