The Competitiveness Of Egypt'S Commercial Ports: A Regional-Level Analysis

Ports are critical drivers of globalisation, influencing trade, economic systems, and urban development. OECD studies show that ports handle nearly 70% of global trade. Consequently, foreign direct investment in ports and their hinterlands rose from 17% in the 1980s to 43% in the early 21st century, highlighting the link between port expansion, population growth, and urbanisation. Egypt’s strategic location contributes significantly to global trade, handling approximately 22% of global container tonnage and 10–12% of world trade. This research analyses Egypt’s commercial ports using key clusters of indicators: shipping and inland networks, the logistic chain, port efficiency, urban-economic performance, and hinterland elements. Findings reveal Alexandria Port as Egypt’s most globally competitive port. The study aims to assess the effects of this competitiveness on two levels. First, changes in the city-port interface of Alexandria and its expansion trends, evaluated through indicators such as port area, storage capacity, transit zones, berth depth and length, container volume reliability, and inland networks. Second, regional-level changes in Alexandria Port's surroundings are statistically analysed across five elements: land uses, economic structures, transportation networks, logistics networks, and special economic zones. The study anticipates identifying the relationship between port competitiveness and urban spillover, offering a foundational basis for sustainable urban development and planning in port regions.