Egypt’s National Navigation Company (NNC) is continuing to expand its fleet through a newbuilding program aimed at reinforcing the country’s efforts to revitalize its commercial fleet and consolidate its position as a regional logistics hub.
Recently, National Navigation signed a contract with Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry Co., Ltd (HT) for the construction of two 82,000 DWT Kamsarmax bulk carriers, which are expected to be delivered in September and November 2028.
The new vessel will be 229 meters long, 32.26 meters wide and have a draft of 14.5 meters. It will be built in accordance with the latest global environmental standards and technical specifications, including a MAN B&W engine with a continuous power output of 7,490 kilowatts, a low-emission system, and advanced navigation equipment.
This is National Navigation’s second deal with Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry in more than a year. In April 2024, the two parties signed an order for two vessels of the same type, which are scheduled to be delivered in 2026. The financial terms of the two shipbuilding contracts have not yet been disclosed.
National Navigation was founded in 1981 and has a fleet of 14 Egyptian-flagged vessels, including 13 bulk carriers and one 3,000 TEU container ship.
With the latest orders, National Navigation has ordered a total of six new vessels over the past three years, accounting for approximately 54% of its fleet renewal, bringing the total fleet size to 18 vessels.
The company plans to focus on rejuvenating its fleet in the coming years, increasing the size of its subsidiaries’ fleets to more than 30 vessels by 2030 to enhance its capacity to transport strategic materials, including grain and petroleum products.