Why do Alexandria and Al-Dukhaylah handle much of Egypt’s foreign trade?

Alexandria and Al-Dukhaylah serve as the primary gateways for Egypt’s foreign trade because they function as the country’s two main commercial harbours. More than half of Egypt's international trade passes through these ports, which facilitate the export of essential commodities such as oil, gas, and cotton, as well as various finished goods and traditional items like fruits, vegetables, and perfumes. Grain remains the largest import handled by these facilities.1

The strategic importance of these ports is further supported by their integration into the national infrastructure. Alexandria is connected to the rest of Egypt via an extensive network of railways and roads, including the high-capacity Alexandria-Cairo desert highway. Additionally, the area has developed into a major industrial hub, with significant activities in shipping, warehousing, and manufacturing—including petrochemicals and steel production—concentrated in the western approaches of the city and at Al-Dukhaylah. While the development of new container-handling facilities elsewhere in Egypt has slightly reduced the nation's total dependence on these specific ports, they remain central to the country's economic output.123