Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Egypt advances as regional maritime hub with major floating hotel project in Aswan
The Suez Canal Authority and its affiliate, Port Said Engineering & Marine Construction Company, have taken a significant step toward solidifying Egypt’s role as a regional center for shipbuilding and marine industry. In a landmark event witnessed by African ambassadors, the company successfully completed the extensive maintenance and repair of the iconic floating hotel "Eugénie" in Aswan, launching it back into Nile waters in early June.
The high-profile launch was attended by ambassadors from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, alongside local government representatives and engineering leaders. Their presence underscores growing Egypt-Africa cooperation in maritime development and hospitality.
The 72-meter-long, 1,600-ton Eugénie underwent comprehensive repairs that included replacing 30 tons of hull steel and extensive upgrades, all supervised by the Polish Shipping Registry. Electrical and mechanical refurbishments and further structural work will continue following its relaunch, ensuring the vessel is ready for the upcoming tourist season.
Lieutenant General Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, emphasized the importance of this achievement in his address: *"Upgrading our affiliate companies opens new horizons for localizing the marine industry and creating new job markets across Africa and the Middle East."* He highlighted that these efforts are aligned with national directives to maximize the value of state assets and diversify sources of revenue for the authority and the country.
Governor of Aswan, Dr. Ismail Kamal, congratulated the engineering teams for their role in boosting river tourism and transforming Aswan into a vital southern gateway for Egyptian-African trade. *"The expansion of the Port Said Company in Aswan is a significant addition to the region’s tourism and commercial activities. This will further reinforce Aswan’s position as a bridge to Africa,"* he said.
The recent facility expansion near Lake Nasser is particularly significant, offering year-round repair and maintenance services to floating hotels and river cruisers operating in the Abu Simbel–Aswan corridor—many of which cannot cross the High Dam.
The operation employed advanced technology such as airbag-based floating systems, meeting the highest safety standards and under direct supervision from Alexandria University’s engineering faculty and the River Transport Authority.
Mr. Mostafa El-Gendy, owner of the Eugénie and Honorary Vice-President of the Pan-African Parliament, expressed his gratitude to all partners for adhering to the maintenance schedule. He also announced that another floating hotel, "Kasr Abreem," will soon undergo similar upgrades.
Looking ahead, Mr. El-Gendy called for even closer collaboration between the Suez Canal Authority and its subsidiaries with African lawmakers to promote and deliver advanced floating unit construction and repair services in countries across the continent.
This milestone reflects Egypt’s commitment to nurturing regional partnerships and supporting local industry, in line with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives to enhance Nile tourism and economic integration with African nations.
The project stands as the first of its scale behind the High Dam, leveraging the new Aswan facility to breathe new life into a wide range of hospitality and tourism businesses along the Nile—a testament to Egypt’s vision as both a steward of its unique river heritage and a driver of regional economic growth.