Alexandria (Egypt)

Alexandria is Egypt's second-largest city (after the capital Cairo) and largest cargo port located on the Mediterranean Sea (Northern Africa). The city extends 32 km (20 mi) along the coast and has population around 5,2 million. Port Alexandria serves over 80% of the country's trade (imports and exports). The city is also a major industrial center with heavy industries benefitting from natural gas and oil pipelines out of Suez City.

Alexandria (locode USAXR) has 4 ports - Western Port (Egypt's main seaport that handles ~60% of all imports/exports), Dekhela Port (west of Western Port), Eastern Port (marina/yacht harbor) and  Abu Qir Port (handling bulk cargoes, including phosphates and general cargo).

Scheduled for inauguration in 2022, Port Alexandia's new containership terminal (Pier 55) will be operated by CMA-CGM - the world's 3rd-largest container shipping company. The concession deal includes CMA-CGM to develop modern logistics, implement digital solutions and training programs, port infrastructure investments. The Pier 55 Terminal covers ~0,56 km2 (0,22 mi2) with total quay length 2+ km and annual capacity ~1,5 million TEU-containers.

The city has two international airports - Borg El Arab (approx 25 km / 16 mi from downtown) and El Nouzha , but currently, only Borg El Arab Airport is operational. Borg El Arab Airport serves regularly scheduled flights connecting to Jordan, Qatar (Doha), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait City, UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah), Oman (Muscat), Libya, Turkey (Istanbul), Italy (Bergamo, Milano). Seasonal flights connect to Greece (Athens).

Four highways connect Alexandria with Cairo and Mersa Matruh (along the coast). Cairo City is approx 220 km (137 mi) to the southeast (~2,5 hours drive). Alexandria Metro (USD 1,5 billion underground traffic project) was planned to start in 2020 and be completed in 2022.

Alexandria was established by Alexander the Great and became a major center for almost 1000 years as the capital of Egypt during the times of Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine Egypt. Following Egypt's Muslim conquest (in 641 AD) the capital was moved to Fustat (later merged with Cairo). The Pharos (Lighthouse of Alexandria) was one of the Ancient World's Seven Wonders, while the Necropolis was one of the Middle Ages' Seven Wonders. The Great Library of Alexandria (accidentally burned by Julius Caesar) was one of the world's tallest buildings and had the largest collection of manuscripts. At its peak, Alexandria was the world's second most powerful city - after Rome.

The city's international shipping trade started to develop in the late-18th century when Egypt became a major exporter of cotton and profited from the overland connection between the Mediterranean and Red Sea (Asia).