Egypt’s Transport Ministry is still reviewing the prequalification applications for the contract to design, finance, build, operate and maintain the country’s first dry port in 6 October City, a source with knowledge of the project tells MEED.

The source did not specify a timeline for the completion of the prequalification process. “We don’t know of a specific timeline [for the list of prequalified firms to be released publicly], but the tender documents are being prepared and will be issued as soon as the prequalification process is completed.”

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.

A further 300 acres has also been allocated for a future logistics centre to support the port. MEED understands the logistics centre will be developed at a later stage, potentially as a public-private partnership (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.

EBRD said it expects the growth in freight and containerised traffic at Egypt’s ports in recent years to continue. “To cope with rising demand, there is a need for an inland customs clearance depot to relieve congestion at the country’s ports,” EBRD said.

Matthew Jordan Tank, EBRD head of infrastructure policy and manager of the IPPF, said in January that the facility had accomplished what it set out to do, which is to provide an efficient means for public sector governments to work with experienced advisory teams to develop bankable PPPs. “We think it will meet with a very good reception in the PPP market,” Tank said.