Egypt has proudly achieved a new national milestone with the successful launch of its first fully domestically manufactured tourist yacht — a groundbreaking step for the country’s shipbuilding industry and a remarkable boost to its tourism sector. This historic event, held under the patronage of Admiral Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, marks the dawn of a new era in Egyptian maritime innovation, showcasing the nation’s capability to produce luxury vessels that rival international standards.
A Historic First for Egypt
The 37-meter yacht was designed, engineered, and built entirely in Egypt, a first in the nation’s maritime history. This achievement was spearheaded by the Suez Canal Company for Modern Boats — a strategic partnership between the Suez Canal Authority and the South Red Sea Shipyard Co. The collaboration embodies Egypt’s vision to localize advanced maritime industries while strengthening national expertise in shipbuilding and naval engineering.
The official launch ceremony, attended by senior officials and engineers, highlighted not only the technical success of the project but also its broader economic and industrial significance. Mr. Mostafa El-Dougishy, Chief Executive Officer of the Suez Canal Company for Modern Boats, emphasized that this launch represents the beginning of a sustained production line dedicated to high-end tourist yachts — a key element in fulfilling President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directive to bolster local manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports.
Engineering Excellence and Technical Mastery
The newly launched vessel is a symbol of Egyptian craftsmanship blended with world-class marine engineering. Measuring 37 meters in length with a beam of 8.2 meters and a displacement of 135 tons, the yacht has been designed for both performance and comfort. Its aerodynamic profile follows the internationally admired Sport Fisherman style — a combination of speed, luxury, and functional design that caters to modern leisure travelers.
Powered by twin 2600-horsepower MTU engines, the yacht achieves impressive performance while maintaining exceptional fuel efficiency. Two advanced hydraulic units are positioned at the bow to operate a multi-purpose winch, and another at the stern manages a sophisticated swimming platform, providing passengers seamless access to water recreation. These features underline Egypt’s ambition to compete on a global scale in luxury yacht production.
The yacht’s construction integrates the latest materials and technologies to ensure durability, stability, and passenger safety, aligning with international maritime standards. The vessel’s design also prioritizes environmental sustainability, with optimized propulsion systems and fuel management to minimize emissions and enhance operational efficiency — a growing priority for the global tourism industry.
Global Design Collaboration
Although the yacht was entirely constructed in Egypt, international expertise played an important role in refining its design aesthetics and interior architecture. The exterior structure was designed by the U.S.-based Fryco Yachts, renowned for its sleek, high-performance vessels. The interiors were envisioned by world-acclaimed designer Georges Vafiadis, known for creating opulent yet ergonomic spaces that exude comfort and sophistication.
The result is a yacht that offers world-class luxury, blending Egyptian manufacturing with global design excellence — a clear reflection of Egypt’s readiness to compete in the luxury tourism market.
Expanding Egypt’s Maritime Tourism Vision
The 37-meter yacht is only the first chapter in a broader development plan to enhance Egypt’s maritime and river tourism infrastructure. According to company officials, additional vessels are already under construction, including an 18-meter fiberglass tourist yacht designed for mass production once the shipyard reaches full operational capacity. This strategic diversification will allow Egypt to meet a wide range of market needs — from private charters and eco-cruises to premium tourist excursions on the Red Sea and Nile River.
This initiative aligns with Egypt’s long-term tourism development plan, which aims to elevate the country’s global competitiveness as a premier destination for nautical tourism. With its abundant coastline, historical maritime routes, and proximity to the Mediterranean and Red Sea, Egypt is well-positioned to become a regional hub for yacht manufacturing and maritime leisure experiences.
Strengthening the Suez Canal Fleet
Parallel to its tourism ventures, the Suez Canal Authority is enhancing the operational strength of its service fleet. Admiral Ossama Rabiee inspected two new tugboats — AZM 3 and AZM 4 — which are scheduled for delivery to the Authority by the end of the year. These powerful vessels will play a vital role in maintaining the smooth navigation of large cargo and container ships through the Suez Canal, ensuring safety, efficiency, and rapid response capacity.
This modernization effort underscores Egypt’s strategy to maintain the Suez Canal’s status as one of the most critical and efficiently managed maritime passages in the world — a key revenue source and an essential artery for global trade.
International Collaboration and Future Prospects
During the same visit, Admiral Rabiee met with a senior delegation from Svitzer, a globally recognized company specializing in marine towing and salvage operations. The discussions focused on potential collaborations to enhance Egypt’s maritime operations with advanced global expertise and best practices. Participants included Captain Hossam Eid, Engineer Abdel Latif Ragab, and Mr. Amr El Bibany, alongside Engineer Essam El-Maghraby, Chairman of the Suez Canal Company for Modern Boats.
These strategic partnerships demonstrate Egypt’s openness to international cooperation and its commitment to positioning itself as a global maritime leader. Knowledge exchange and foreign collaboration are expected to contribute significantly to the modernization of Egypt’s shipyards and enhance the technical capabilities of its workforce.
A New Chapter in Egypt’s Maritime Renaissance
The launch of Egypt’s first domestically built tourist yacht stands as a symbol of national pride and industrial progress. It showcases the country’s growing capacity for innovation, technical excellence, and sustainable economic development. Beyond being a single vessel, this project lays the foundation for a thriving shipbuilding industry that integrates modern technology, international design standards, and Egyptian craftsmanship.
As Egypt continues to diversify its economy and expand its global tourism offerings, this maritime achievement highlights a future where the nation’s shipyards become renowned centers of excellence — producing vessels that carry the Egyptian flag across international waters, symbolizing both national strength and cultural sophistication.
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