Ferry to Turkey

Ro-Ro services (Roll-on/roll-off) between Mersin, Turkey and Alexandria, Egypt began on 27 February 2012. Turkish Menalines’ vessel “Mv Ruzgar”, which 120 truck capacity, performs two services a week between Mersin and Alexandria.

Ro-Ro ships are vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo like cars, trucks, trailers and railroad cars that are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels. Political turmoil in Syria forced Turkish exporters bound to destinations in the Middle East and the Gulf states to change their logistics and distribution systems. Over 106,000 Turkish trucks transited Syria in 2010 generating an income of up to U$100m for the country. Turkish trucks would immediately start transporting to Gulf countries via Egypt. Transporters are facing difficulties in reaching Gulf countries as Turkey is having border disputes with Syria over which route is most feasible, due to political tensions.

Make early reservations, demand may be more than the capacity. Be strong to fight with Egyptian customs.

• you will be travelling together with 120 trucks which will continue driving to gulf countries full of goods.
• after completing customs formalities,you will drive in and out the ship yourself.
• cabin upstairs with beds will also be available at extra charge.
• it will take 24 hours between Mersin and Alexandria.

Alexandria (Egypt) – Mersin (Turkey) Wednesday and Saturday

Mersin  – Alexandria Monday and Thursday afternoon

Ticket Sales – Mersin agent: Atakol (0324)2386830; Alexandria agent: Kadmar Shipping

Alexandria: 32.saad zaghloul str.
(203)4862832- 4860689-4840680/3 lines
general@kadmar.com

Cairo: 15 lebanon street,el mohandesein
20-(0)-233445734 and 33052284

Port Said: El mahrousa building, mahmoud sedkey and banama str
20-(0)-663344016 and 18; 20-(0)-663354330
portsaid@kadmar.com

Shipping company: Mena Lines info@menalines.com; +90 212 246 4560 +90 533 730 7069

Slow ferry – Port Said to Mersin, Turkey

Port Said, Egypt to Turkey, Mersin first ro-ro started 26.04.2012.

Option of Sat, Mon, Tue and Thu, but the days can change at any time. You will share the ferry with 70 lorries and their drivers. It takes 4 nights. Egyptian customs keep irregular hours and are closed for 1 week over Ramadan.

Cost, departing from Egypt: 350 $ per person, 600 $ per vehicle. 750 EGP – agency fees; 1500 EGP – customs and clearance.

Cost, departing from Turkey: $200 per person, $500 per vehicle, $150 customs formalities in Turkey. Costs for customs clearance including license plates and ID in Port Said: 2800 EP (around $ 465). You may be able to haggle about the price with the agent, depending on the length of your vehicle (less than 4,5 m is good!). Most likely nobody will be taking measurements on the ferry. The ticket includes a cabin (which you will need) as well as 3 meals a day.

Port Said office N31 15.668 E032 18.710

Agent: nagger shipping e-mail: hend@aknaggar.com Nabil Abou El Kheir Tel 066/3333865, manager of Al Naggar shipping company. Good and reliable. You have to book in advance.

The vessel used by Menalines is now Anna Marine (ex Stena Leader). The bilateral trade agreement has many advantages for Egypt and is intended to support the Egyptian economy and contribute to the advantage of its geographic location. Egypt has the development potential to become a centre for logistics globally. The service will facilitate Egyptian exports to Turkey and onward to Russia and other markets in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and northern Iraq.

Overland through Libya

To move onward from Egypt, some overlanders have recently travelled through Libya – see their website Team Shoebaru – 2012 London to South Africa Charity Drive

Ferry Israel – Italy

EUROmed – Grimaldi: about EUR 2000 for the car and 2 passengers, including customs,clearance and agent fees.

Ferry to Italy? None!

Just when we got excited about this option – it turned out to have been discontinued.

A new direct weekly ferry service between Alexandria and Venice, Visemar Lines, started in May 2010, with online bookings at www.visemarline.com, but it was cancelled on 5 June 2011. The trip took 4 days and did not call anywhere in Greece. Cost: £800 with a car.