Which Port for Car Shipping to Egypt?: Alexandria vs Port Said Comparison

Choosing between Alexandria and Port Said for car shipping to Egypt involves balancing costs, transit times, and port capabilities. As Egypt's two primary automotive gateways, these ports offer distinct advantages depending on your vehicle type, budget, and destination. This guide breaks down critical factors to help you select the optimal port for your car shipping needs.

For comprehensive import strategies, see Ship Cars to Egypt from USA: Complete 2025 Guide.

Alexandria Port: The Mediterranean Automotive Hub

Key Infrastructure Features

• Capacity: Handles 3.2 million TEU annually with dedicated RoRo facilities

• Terminals:

  • Alexandria Container Terminal: 500,000 TEU capacity

  • Tahya Misr Multipurpose Terminal: 400,000 m² yard for containers, general cargo, and cars

• Depth: 16.5–18.8m berths accommodate vessels up to 168,000 DWT

Car Shipping Advantages

• NAFEZA Integration: 72-hour customs clearance via Egypt's digital system

• EV Readiness: Specialized zones for electric vehicles with 32 reefer plugs

• Consolidation Options: Shared containers from $1,500/vehicle via West Coast Shipping

Key Infrastructure Features

• Capacity: Processes 8.7 million tons annually with 900,000 TEU capacity

• Terminals:

  • East Port Said: New RoRo terminal handles 10,000 vehicles

  • SCCT Container Terminal: 2 million TEU capacity for Post-Panamax ships

• Depth: 16–17m berths accommodate 15,000 TEU vessels

Car Shipping Advantages

• Suez Canal Access: 9–10-day transit time savings for Asia/Europe-bound vehicles

• RoRo Efficiency: Dedicated ramps process 150 vehicles/hour

• Bonded Storage: 75,000-ton capacity for delayed deliveries

Ideal For:

• Luxury/Classic Cars: Climate-controlled containers at $2,500/dedicated unit

• EV Shipments: Certified battery handling and charging stations

• Urgent Deliveries: Faster customs via NAFEZA pre-clearance

Case Study: A 2023 Tesla Model Y shipped via Alexandria saved 18 days compared to Port Said using NAFEZA digital processing.

When to Choose Port Said

Ideal For:

• High-Volume Dealers: 10,000-vehicle RoRo capacity

• Transshipments: Suez Canal access reduces Asia-Europe transit by 7 days

• Project Cars: Bonded storage during restoration

Case Study: A Dubai-based dealer shipped 45 Land Cruisers via Port Said's RoRo terminal at $220/unit trucking costs.

Challenges & Mitigation

Alexandria Challenges

• Congestion: 14% longer dwell times during peak season

• Solution: Book 60+ days ahead for Q4 shipments

Port Said Challenges

• Limited EV Support: No dedicated charging infrastructure

• Solution: Use Alexandria for EVs, then truck to final destination

West Coast Shipping's Port-Specific Solutions

Alexandria Services

• NAFEZA Pre-Check: Avoid 72-hour documentation delays

• Tahya Misr Access: Priority slots for high-value vehicles

Port Said Services

• RoRo Coordination: 48-hour vessel space guarantees

• Canal Transit Discounts: 12% fee reduction for dual-port shipments

Conclusion

Alexandria excels in speed and EV readiness, while Port Said offers cost-effective bulk shipping and canal access. For most individual shippers, Alexandria's NAFEZA efficiency and proximity to Cairo make it the preferred choice. Commercial importers benefit from Port Said's RoRo capacities and transshipment advantages.

Need Help Choosing?

Contact West Coast Shipping for port-specific quotes and logistics planning.

For full regulatory details, visit Ship Cars to Egypt from USA: Complete 2025 Guide.