Egypt agrees with AD Ports to develop Red Sea tourism terminals

Egypt initialed an agreement with Abu Dhabi's AD Ports Group ADPORTS.AD to develop, operate and maintain terminals for passengers and cruise lines at the Red Sea ports of Hurghada, Safaga and Sharm El Sheikh, its transport ministry said on Thursday.

The contract will also commit AD Ports Group to develop yacht and cruise ship tourism in Egypt, the ministry statement said.

"This contract will contribute to operating cruise lines between Zayed Port and Safaga, Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh and, later, Arabian Gulf ports, Aqaba and Europe and Asia," the statement added, without giving the value or duration of the contract.

Egypt last week signed an agreement with AD Ports for the operation and maintenance of a multipurpose terminal at Safaga that will accommodate 1 million containers annually and receive 7 million metric tons of goods.