His Excellency Dr Saad Mohamed Elgioshy, Minister of Transport and a member of the Egyptian cabinet, has paid a visit to the Port of Felixstowe.

Dr Elgioshy had previously attended the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) executive council elections in London. While at the UK's largest container port the minister held talks with Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) executives and visited the CSCL Globe, one of the world's largest container ships.

Commenting on the visit, Clemence Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Felixstowe and Managing Director of HPH Europe Division, said:

"We were delighted to welcome Dr Elgioshy to the Port of Felixstowe and to congratulate him on Egypt's appointment to the IMO Executive Council.  While he was at the port we were able to show him some of the recent investments we have made at Felixstowe to increase capacity and the service we offer our customers."

Darrius Teo, Managing Director of Alexandria International Container Terminal, who was also present during the visit, added:

"HPH has operated the Alexandria International Container Terminal in Egypt since 2005 when we were the first foreign investor in the port.  Since our arrival container throughput in Alexandria has more than doubled to over 2 million TEU per annum and we look forward to continuing to work with the Egyptian authorities to help grow the country's maritime system further."

HPH is the world's largest port operator with interests in 52 countries including the UK and Egypt.  As well as investing in Alexandria International Container Terminal (AICT), HPH has supported a number of community projects in the area.  These include educational programmes, social-service projects, medical initiatives, environmental-protection efforts and sponsoring the Al Bitash Primary School and the Al Amal Association for Orphans Care.

AICT operates two fully integrated container terminals at Egypt's main commercial ports of Alexandria port and El Dekheila port. Both ports are located on the Mediterranean Sea and support growing local and international trade in the region as Egypt expands its industrial base.  AICT is a joint venture between HPH, Alexandria Port Authority and two other minority shareholders. HPH has exclusive control and management of AICT.

Clemence Cheng (left) receives a memento of the visit from His Excellency Dr Saad Mohamed Elgioshy, Egyptian Minister of Transport