It was precisely seven years ago that the ferry service linking Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada was suspended. In a twist of fate, the Ministry of transport announced imminent re-launch and subsequent resumption of the ferry service in the coming week. On the 9th of June, the service will be inaugurated; the event will have the head of the Red Sea Ports Authority and the governors of the Red Sea and South Sinai governorate in attendance.
Mr. Awad Abdel Samee who is the commander of the ferry ‘Labesbes’ lauded the re-launch of the ferry service saying it will boost tourism within the two focal cities of the Red Sea. Labesbesis among the fleet scheduled to operate across the new crossing. The ferry which has a capacity to carry 300 people on board has passed inspection from the Egyptian Authority for Maritime Safety (EAFMS).
Samee explained further that the ferry service is a time saver for commuters; the crossing takes two and a half hours by ferry as opposed to the 9 hours journey going by bus. The Ferry service is priced at LE370 for one way ticket while return tickets will cost LE630.
The Red Sea Ports Authority announced that the service will be of immense benefit to Egyptian expatriates returning home for the month of Ramadan. Consequently, a high influx of commuters is expected in the month of June. Hesham Abu Senna who is the chairman of the Red Sea Ports Authority affirmed that the ferries have been inspected to ensure safety of the commuters. The ferries will operate in the crossing between Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
All necessary safety and security protocols have been established to at the ports of Nuweiba, Safaga and Hurghada; these are the departure ports for those making a holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in the month of Ramadan.
The month of Ramadan started on the 6th of June 2016.
