Port Said (Cairo, Egypt)

Port Said is a Mediterranean port city in northeastern Egypt, extending some 30 km (19 mi) along the coast. The city has population around 600,000 (Egypt's 2nd largest - after Cairo) and was established in 1859 during the creation of Suez Canal. Port Said is also the cruise port for Cairo City, located approx 200 km (120 mi) to the south, or at ~3 hours drive / road distance.

City's economy is based on container shipping, commercial fishing and industries like processed food, cigarettes, chemicals. Port Said is a major seaport where are exported Egyptian products (including rice and cotton). Other large businesses are fueling (for vessels passing through Suez Canal), duty-free port and tourist resort activities (especially during summer). Port Said's Lighthouse is world's first built from reinforced concrete.

The city has numerous old houses with grand balconies, giving it a distinctive look. Port Fuad (twin city) is on the eastern bank of the canal. Both cities are connected with free of charge ferries running all day, and together form a metro area (population over 1 million) which extends on both African and Asian sides of Suez Canal. World's other metro area that also spans two continents is Istanbul (Turkey).

In January 2020, the container shipping company NYK Line, Bollore Africa Logistics (2008-founded, part of Bollore Group) and Toyota Tsusho (Toyota Corporation's trading subsidiary) signed an agreement with the Suez Canal Authority to built and operate a dedicated car terminal at East Portsaid. Currently, Egypt's car market (vehicle imports) is almost entirely served by Port Alexandria as Port Said lacks automotive storage space. The new terminal at East Portsaid will be Egypt’s first exclusively dedicated to RO-RO ships (car carriers) facility. It will berthing capacity two large PCTCs (Pure Car and Truck Carriers) simultaneously and a large vehicle storage / parking space. As of 2020,  Bollore (French transportation company) serves ports in 46 African countries (out of 56 worldwide). Toyota owns various vehicle-related businesses in Egypt. NYK Line (part of ONE Alliance) operates boxships and RO-RO and has an expertise in cargo terminal operations.

Port Said cruise terminal