The Minister Highlights:
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“No one working in marine waste collection along the Suez Canal will be harmed – this is a presidential directive. Everyone can rest assured.”
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“Transforming all Egyptian ports into green ports is one of the Ministry of Transport’s top strategic priorities.”
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“The Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport will serve as the regulatory entity coordinating between marine contractors and Antipollution Egypt, ensuring the cleanliness and safety of Suez Canal waters.”
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“Egyptian personnel working in the waste collection sector will receive comprehensive training on best-in-class collection and recycling techniques, with full preservation of their livelihoods—balancing environmental, economic, and social dimensions.”
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“Regular coordination meetings will be held with all relevant parties to monitor implementation progress and ensure full compliance with environmental and technical standards.”
Minister of Environment:
“We have coordinated with Antipollution Egypt on mechanisms to ensure the safe disposal of all types of waste, under continuous environmental monitoring.”
Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority:
“A message of reassurance to all marine contractors—this new system will not harm you; on the contrary, it will enhance your income.”
As part of Egypt’s firm commitment to integrating sustainable development principles into all sectors, Lieutenant General Eng. Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, chaired an expansive meeting at the Ministry’s headquarters. The meeting was attended by Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, and Lieutenant General Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, reinforcing Egypt’s alignment with regional and international environmental directions.
The meeting focused on implementing a comprehensive system for collecting and safely disposing of solid waste from vessels transiting the Suez Canal. This initiative is to be led by Antipollution Egypt, a pioneering environmental services provider, with full adherence to international marine standards and a firm commitment to preserving marine life.
Minister El-Wazir emphasized that the initiative aims to modernize waste management services without excluding existing marine contractors. “No one will be harmed—this is a direct presidential directive,” he assured. The new system is designed to fairly integrate current contractors and optimize their roles within a sustainable framework.
Attendees included representatives from relevant government bodies, Antipollution Egypt, the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport, and members of Parliament from the Suez governorate. Discussions centered around establishing a well-coordinated operational model that balances marine environmental protection with the facilitation of global trade.
The Minister reaffirmed Egypt’s active participation in international environmental conventions and highlighted the Ministry’s ambitious vision to transform all national ports into green ports. This includes supporting vessels powered by green hydrogen, ammonia, and clean fuels, aiming to reduce emissions and preserve the marine ecosystem.
Regarding the Suez Canal, El-Wazir underscored its global strategic importance and the necessity of setting a global benchmark in green corridor transformation. He pointed to the Authority’s proactive steps in launching a safe and structured waste collection service in partnership with Antipollution Egypt, with mechanisms in place to define the roles of all stakeholders.
A proposal was made for the Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport to act as the main coordinator between marine contractors and Antipollution Egypt, to maintain water cleanliness and ensure system efficiency. This includes guaranteeing job continuity for workers and training local personnel in advanced waste handling techniques—meeting social, economic, and environmental sustainability targets.
The Minister also stressed the importance of regular review meetings to monitor implementation, track milestones, and ensure full adherence to the project’s environmental framework—solidifying Egypt’s leadership as a regional hub for sustainable maritime operations.
Minister of Environment Dr. Yasmine Fouad praised the project as a model of public-private partnership in advancing sustainable development goals. She confirmed that all processes—from waste collection to transport and recycling—will be conducted under close environmental supervision, in full alignment with Egypt’s Vision 2030.
She explained the differentiated waste handling strategies based on waste type, in compliance with Law No. 202/2020 on integrated waste management, noting that municipal and hazardous waste each follow strict and distinct processes, including sorting and industrial recycling.
Suez Canal Authority Chairman Lt. Gen. Osama Rabie called the initiative a vital step toward meeting international environmental standards and promoting eco-friendly maritime services in Egypt. He emphasized the Authority’s partnership with V Group (Greece), which is investing $150 million over seven years to provide the required eco-friendly infrastructure—without burdening the state budget.
Rabie reassured marine contractors that their role in the new system remains critical and that the volume of operations—and hence their income—is expected to grow. He noted that compliance clauses in the contract will ensure accountability, and that waste collection will be mandatory for all vessels passing through the Canal.
Mr. Veron Vassiliadis, Chairman of V Group, presented a comprehensive overview of the technology and investment involved in the project. He expressed pride in the strategic cooperation with the Suez Canal Authority and affirmed that Antipollution Egypt, a local subsidiary, has already invested over $11 million in environmentally certified marine and land units and advanced waste disposal systems in line with international standards.
Vassiliadis confirmed the company’s strong commitment to local workforce development, with over 90% of the team being Egyptian, and partnerships with 46 local marine contractors to ensure inclusive project delivery—under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport’s Marine Works and Supply Company.
Engineer Nashaat Nasr, Director of Navigation at the Suez Canal Authority, added that Antipollution Egypt introduces a cutting-edge digital waste management system for the Canal. This system ensures secure, traceable disposal operations that align with the International Maritime Organization’s regulations and global environmental conventions.
