Alexandria Maritime Station

Alexandria has long been the gateway to Egypt by ship and with the resurgence of the cruise liner in the last two decades.

At the end of the fifties when the tourist industry began to expand, the Egyptian Government initiated a comprehensive programme to improve tourist facilities, including the building of a new maritime station at Alexandria. The reasoning behind this was Alexandria's strategic position in the Mediterranean and the volume of tourist traffic passing through it.

In 1958, work began on the new station, which was completed in 1961. Designed along modern architectural lines, it adhered strictly to both aesthetic and practical criteria. All tourist facilities were introduced, ensuring the passage from the quay through customs was smooth and enjoyable.

The new station, completed at a cost of L.E. one million, features several underpasses connecting Nasr Street to the station, linking it directly with Alexandria's beautiful corniche.

Designed by Arab architects, the station was, at the time, the most luxurious in the Mediterranean, occupying 15 acres, 2 of which were for the buildings. Five modern quays stretched along the ocean-facing side of the buildings, enabling simultaneous operation.

Currently, it consists of three berths of 500, 300, and 200 meters in length, with a depth of 11 meters. These can accommodate giant passenger ships and ferries. The back area, with a total width of 15 meters, supports cargo handling, while areas for passenger reception include customs services and public service offices.

Further updates began in 2008 and are ongoing.