<p data-path-to-node="5">Demonstrating its expanding quay capacity for mega-ocean carriers, <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="85">Damietta Port</b> has successfully welcomed the <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="129">Mette Maersk</b>, one of the world’s largest ultra-large container ships (ULCS), at its newly modernized container facilities. The 399-meter-long vessel, operated by A.P. Moller – Maersk with a capacity of over 18,300 TEUs, berthed at the port to complete major import and transshipment discharge operations.</p><p data-path-to-node="6">The vessel call underscores the Damietta Port Authority's ongoing infrastructure modernization program, designed to position the Egyptian gateway as a primary hub for East Mediterranean transshipment and feeder networks.</p><h3 data-path-to-node="8"><b data-path-to-node="8" data-index-in-node="0">Dredging Upgrades and Terminal Expansion Drive Ultra-Large Vessel Calls</b></h3><p data-path-to-node="9">The arrival of the post-Suezmax container ship highlights several operational milestones achieved under the port's master plan:</p><ul data-path-to-node="10"><li><p data-path-to-node="10,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Handling High-Draft Mega-Vessels:</b> Measuring 399 meters in length with a beam of 59 meters and a deadweight capacity exceeding 214,000 tonnes, the <i data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="146">Mette Maersk</i> requires deep-water berths, high-reach ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes, and streamlined vessel traffic control systems all of which were deployed seamlessly during the berth call.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Capital Dredging and Approach Upgrades:</b> Recent channel deepening and basin maintenance projects conducted by the Damietta Port Authority now allow the port to receive vessels with operational drafts up to 16 meters, reducing reliance on high-tide windows for ultra-large container ships.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Transshipment Hub Strategy:</b> By serving as a key call on major Asia-Europe and Intra-Mediterranean loops, Damietta offers mainliner carriers an efficient alternative for transferring cargo onto regional feeder services bound for North Africa, the Levant, and Southern Europe.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,3,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,3,0" data-index-in-node="0">Expanding Terminal Capacity:</b> The successful berthing aligns with Egypt's broader maritime strategy to expand container handling capacity at Damietta including the development of the Damietta Alliance Container Terminal (Terminal 2) to capture rising regional container trade.</p></li></ul>