Latest news with #El-Wazir
Al-Ahram Weekly
15-05-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt receives 1st air-conditioned train for Cairo Metro Line 1 from France's Alstom - Urban & Transport
Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir announced Thursday the arrival of the first air-conditioned train for Cairo Metro Line 1 at Alexandria Port, under a financing agreement between Egypt and France to manufacture and supply 55 air-conditioned trains for that line. In 2022, Egypt signed a 776.9 million euro financing agreement with France to fund French company Alstom's manufacturing and supply of 55 air-conditioned trains for Cairo Metro Line 1, including eight years of maintenance. A ministry statement indicated that the deal is funded through concessional financing from the French government under a joint roadmap with France's Ministry of Economy and Finance. Minister El-Wazir stated that the project aims to handle rising passenger demand on Metro Line 1 following the planned completion of the five-line metro network and the Line 1 extension from New Marg to Shibin El-Qanatir. As part of a broader upgrade plan, the ministry commissioned Spain to refurbish 23 existing trains and contracted a local firm to modernize the Torrah workshop. It also partnered with an Egyptian, French, and Japanese alliance to upgrade signalling, communication, control systems, tracks, and electromechanical works. The new trains will include the following features: High-capacity air-conditioning system, Safe passage between cars for passenger comfort, Front-mounted CCTV cameras for centralized track monitoring, LCD screens to display passenger information and for paid advertisements, Screens above the side doors to show the name of the final station before boarding, Designated wheelchair areas with secure fixtures to assist passengers with special needs, Electronic route maps above doors with illuminated lights to guide hearing-impaired passengers. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Zawya
14-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
CMA CGM, October Dry Port pen strategic partnership to boost Egypt's logistics sector
Arab Finance: Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir witnessed the signing of a strategic partnership between the French shipping giant CMA CGM and October Dry Port (ODP), as per a statement. The partnership aims to enhance operational efficiency at the dry port and provide integrated logistics services to Egypt's growing industrial zones. El-Wazir emphasized that the partnership aligns with Egypt's strategy to maximize private sector participation and implement seven integrated logistics corridors. These corridors will link production areas to seaports and connect key Egyptian regions via rail and road networks, enhancing the country's position as a regional hub for transportation, logistics, and transit trade. He also highlighted that CMA CGM's extensive experience in Egypt, including partnerships at Alexandria and Sokhna ports, demonstrates the strong cooperation between Egypt and international companies. This partnership with ODP is expected to increase the movement of exports and imports, reduce seaport congestion, and streamline customs processes. © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
11-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt signs $235mln contracts with US's PRL to modernize 100 locomotives
Arab Finance: Egypt's National Railways Authority signs three contracts with American company Progress Rail (PRL) to modernize 100 Henschel locomotives, supply spare parts for 141 units over 15 years, and provide technical support for 10 years, as per a statement. As part of a $235 million agreement witnessed by US Ambassador to Cairo Herro Mustafa Garg, the deal falls under Egypt's wider plan to upgrade its railway fleet and improve service quality for passengers and freight clients. The project is also expected to boost the availability and reliability of locomotives while cutting fuel consumption and emissions. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir said the contracts align with the Ministry's strategy to enhance the traction system and expand the share of freight transported by rail, helping ease pressure on road networks and increase railway revenues. The modernization program will see the installation of all-new locomotive components, including a new engine, EM2000 control system, electrical cabinet, air compressor, air brake system, and cooling system. Remaining major components will be overhauled using newly supplied spare parts. El-Wazir highlighted the operational benefits of the upgrades, noting a 50% cut in oil consumption and over 3% improvement in fuel efficiency, driven by new engine technology. He added that the move would also help reduce spare parts inventory by phasing out discontinued components and aligning with Egypt's EMD (JT42CWRM) fleet. The contract also supports Egypt's localization efforts. Overhauls of key reused parts—such as traction motors and main generators—will be carried out by the Egyptian Company for Railway Maintenance and Services (ERMAS), a subsidiary of the National Railways Authority. This will involve using some local components and transferring expertise under Progress Rail's supervision. El-Wazir noted that with the latest contract, Egypt has now added 210 new locomotives to its network. Meanwhile, 99 locomotives from the existing fleet have been rehabilitated in collaboration with major international companies. These upgrades come alongside routine maintenance of operational units, all within the framework of the Ministry's ongoing rail system overhaul. © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Al-Ahram Weekly
10-04-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt, US sign $235 mln contracts to modernize Egyptian railways
Egyptian National Railways (ENR) and US Progress Rail Locomotives (PRL) have inked three railway contracts to modernize Egypt's local railways. Egyptian Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir and US Ambassador to Egypt Herro Mustafa Garg witnessed the signing of the contracts. The deals will modernize 100 Henschel locomotives, supply spare parts for 141 locomotives for 15 years, and provide technical support for 10 years. Chairman of the ENR Engineer Mohamed Amer and Vice President of PRL Mr. Jack Zeng have signed the contracts. Minister El-Wazir stated that these contracts are part of the ministry's plan to support the current fleet of locomotives, increase the number of trips on the network, and improve service, meeting the growing needs of a transport sector capable of driving development. He added that enhancing the railway system will also increase the volume of goods transported via it, reduce road burdens, and leverage railway resources. El-Wazir explained that modernizing 100 Henschel locomotives will involve installing entirely new components, including the engine, advanced control system EM2000, high-voltage electrical cabin, air compressor, low-pressure cabin, air brake system, and cooling system. Additionally, major components of the locomotives will undergo overhauls using new spare parts. Moreover, he emphasized that this modernization would benefit the locomotive operationally by reducing oil consumption by approximately 50 percent with the new engine technology and decreasing fuel consumption by over three percent compared to the current engine technology. It will also reduce carbon emissions, enhance fleet availability, and improve reliability for the ENR by replacing outdated parts and increasing common components with the authority's EMD JT42CWRM locomotives. The minister also stressed that these contracts aim to localize industry. The Egyptian Railways Maintenance and Services (ERMAS) will overhaul reused parts (traction motors, main generators, and so on). This will allow the use of local components and the transfer of expertise under PRL's supervision. The minister also indicated that, per the deals, the ministry, in collaboration with major global companies, will introduce 210 new locomotives and rehabilitate and repair 99 locomotives out of the current fleet of 210. In addition, it will provide regular maintenance of the current fleet at railway workshops as part of a comprehensive plan to continue developing the railway system. "I am pleased to witness the signing of contracts worth over $235 million for the modernization and maintenance of locomotives. I congratulate Progress Rail and the Egyptian Railways on this agreement," Ambassador Garg said. "The United States is proud of its advanced technologies and innovations, which contribute to and will continue to bring mutual prosperity to both countries," he added. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Zawya
08-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt, France sign $7.6bln deal to build green hydrogen complex in Ras Shukheir
Arab Finance: Egypt and France signed a cooperation agreement to develop, finance, construct, and operate an integrated green hydrogen and ammonia production facility in Ras Shukheir, as per a statement. The agreement was signed between the Red Sea Ports Authority and the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) in partnership with the Green Fuel Alliance, comprising France's EDF Renewables and the Egyptian-Emirati firm Zero Waste. As part of French President Emmanuel Macron's official visit to Cairo, the signing was witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Electricity Mahmoud Esmat, and French Minister of Economy and Finance Eric Lombard. El-Wazir said the agreement supports Egypt's presidential directives to localize the green hydrogen industry, attract foreign direct investment, and position the country as a regional and global hub for energy and green fuels. He described the project as a reflection of the strong political and economic ties between Egypt and France and their mutual interest in long-term cooperation. The facility is set to produce 1 million tons of green ammonia annually in three phases, beginning in 2029, to supply clean ship fuel and for export to global markets. El-Wazir stressed that the project will not impose any financial burden on the state, nor will it require infrastructure support or electricity transmission from state-owned companies. The fully private sector-led initiative will be carried out by companies with the financial and technical capacity to sustain long-term investment, expected to extend over 50 years. The first phase of the project will involve a direct investment of €2 billion from EDF Renewables and Zero Waste to produce 300,000 tons of green ammonia annually. The total investment for all three phases will reach €7 billion, with full financing by the project company. The land allocated includes 368 square kilometers for wind and solar energy production and 1.2 million suqare meters for the plant itself. The project will also include a seawater desalination unit and a 7-kilometer electricity transmission corridor. The company will build and fund a 400-meter-long loading dock with a 17-meter draft at the Red Sea Ports Authority, along with supporting infrastructure. El-Wazir said the project will generate revenue for the state through land-use fees, licensing and renewal charges, export fees, service charges, and taxes, all paid in foreign currency. It will also create thousands of jobs during construction and operation. He noted that the agreement includes provisions for training Egyptian workers, with the aim of achieving a 95% local workforce participation. © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
