Latest news with #OPE
Ya Biladi
06-07-2025
- Ya Biladi
Ferry collision at Algeciras port does not disrupt Strait Crossing Operation
Port authorities in Algeciras reassured the public on Friday, July 4, that the Strait Crossing Operation (OPE) is proceeding smoothly, despite a ferry collision with quay 2 of the port. According to local media, the incident, which occurred on Thursday evening, has not disrupted the operation launched on the Spanish side on June 15, in coordination with Morocco's Marhaba 2025. While operations at the affected docking point were temporarily suspended, four other stations remained active to ensure normal ferry traffic. The collision occurred shortly before 9 p.m. when the ferry AF CLAUDIA, chartered by Africa Morocco Line (AML) to support OPE 2025, struck two fenders at mooring station no. 2 of the passenger terminal. Reports indicate that the vessel was «preparing to dock» when the accident happened. The impact destroyed the fenders and damaged the boarding bridge, though no injuries were reported. As a safety precaution, the port authority suspended use of the station until the damaged fenders are replaced and thorough inspections are conducted on both the quay and the boarding bridge. The AF CLAUDIA, an Italian-flagged Ropax ferry built in 2001, measures 186 meters in length and has been operating three daily crossings on the Algeciras–Tanger Med route since Sunday. Maritime traffic between the two ports, as well as other port operations, have continued without interruption.
Ya Biladi
05-07-2025
- Ya Biladi
Ferry collision at Algeciras port does not disrupt Strait Crossing Operation
Port authorities in Algeciras reassured the public on Friday, July 4, that the Strait Crossing Operation (OPE) is proceeding smoothly, despite a ferry collision with quay 2 of the port. According to local media, the incident, which occurred on Thursday evening, has not disrupted the operation launched on the Spanish side on June 15, in coordination with Morocco's Marhaba 2025. While operations at the affected docking point were temporarily suspended, four other stations remained active to ensure normal ferry traffic. The collision occurred shortly before 9 p.m. when the ferry AF CLAUDIA, chartered by Africa Morocco Line (AML) to support OPE 2025, struck two fenders at mooring station no. 2 of the passenger terminal. Reports indicate that the vessel was «preparing to dock» when the accident happened. The impact destroyed the fenders and damaged the boarding bridge, though no injuries were reported. As a safety precaution, the port authority suspended use of the station until the damaged fenders are replaced and thorough inspections are conducted on both the quay and the boarding bridge. The AF CLAUDIA, an Italian-flagged Ropax ferry built in 2001, measures 186 meters in length and has been operating three daily crossings on the Algeciras–Tanger Med route since Sunday. Maritime traffic between the two ports, as well as other port operations, have continued without interruption.
Ya Biladi
02-07-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Algeciras port pilots vote to strike amid Operation Crossing the Strait
The Corporation of Maritime Pilots at the Port of Algeciras has voted to go on strike, with 34 out of 47 members present supporting the move. Four voted against it, while nine abstained. Although no date has been announced, the strike is expected to take place during the high-traffic Operation Crossing the Strait (OPE), which began in Spain on June 15. According to El Estrecho Digital, the strike follows failed negotiations with the fleet department after seven months of conflict over equipment and staffing shortages. The outlet describes the current moment as a «particularly sensitive period, marked by deep disagreements over the availability of material and human resources». The union accuses management of adopting an «intransigent and hostile attitude toward workers, blocking any path to agreement». Joaquín Millán, a workers' representative quoted by local media, warned that the decision to strike during OPE could «have a direct impact on port operations in the coming days». «This is a critical period for maritime traffic in southern Spain», he said, referring to the surge in passenger and cargo movement between Europe and North Africa, which coincides with Operation Marhaba on the Moroccan side. Maritime workers in Algeciras say efforts to resolve the conflict through dialogue have made little headway. They claim that management's approach has fostered «a climate of confrontation, deepening internal divisions and failing to recognize the vital role pilots play in ensuring port safety». While the specific dates and details of the strike have not yet been finalized, the union is expected to announce its mobilization schedule this Thursday. Large-scale action has not been ruled out, but union leaders stressed that «the situation could still be resolved if management demonstrates a genuine willingness to negotiate».
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Egypt unveils $30 million overhaul plan to transform tourism for the Pyramids
Some 2.5 million people visit the Pyramids of Giza each year with hopes of an epic experience befitting one of the World's Seven Wonders. But for decades, a trip to Egypt 's most famous tourist spot meant battling crowds and parrying aggressive hawkers. Now, thanks to a $30 million revamp that rethinks the experience, seeing the pyramids is finally inspiring more awe than agony. A network of buses whisks visitors around the site, the hard-sells have been tamed — and you can even enjoy some fine dining overlooking the 4,600-year-old monuments. All this officially debuts on July 3 — a milestone seven years in the making. In 2018, the Egyptian government signed a public-private partnership deal with Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris' Orascom Pyramids Entertainment to overhaul the Giza Plateau , the area west of Cairo on which the ancient structures sit. A soft launch began in early April, allowing OPE to make improvements and address shortcomings ahead of a wider reveal, OPE Executive Chairman Amr Gazarin said in an interview. The firm will operate the location for the next 11 years, drawing revenue not from ticket sales — which the government is solely entitled to — but from VIP tours, sponsorship deals and commercial leases on the grounds. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) The opening date coincides with the long-awaited inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum — the $1 billion flagship attraction sitting about a mile away. Taken together, the two projects represent some of the biggest strides yet in Egypt's goal of doubling annual visitors to 30 million within a decade. It's a target that would put it roughly on par with Greece, making it one of the most-visited countries in the world. Live Events You Might Also Like: Thailand 'unexpectedly' shuts border to tourists, leaves thousands stranded New gate, new rules One of the key changes was to make the Giza Plateau car-free. Instead of driving up a winding road in the shadow of the Great Pyramid , visitors now enter via a gate on a highway 1.5 miles to the southwest. After passing through the so-called Great Gate and buying tickets, visitors navigate a gleaming hall of introductory exhibits before boarding new hop-on, hop-off buses. Within minutes, they can be dropped off at the feet of the three colossal pyramids, each built from 80-ton limestone blocks. The iconic Great Sphinx lies further below. At bus stops around the site they'll find facilities that were long-lacking, including upgraded restrooms, formal souvenir stores and cafes. And, with the opening of several eateries in recent years, you can finally order a meal on-site. You Might Also Like: Philippines opens doors to Indian tourists with visa-free entry starting June 8 Khufu's, which serves up a deluxe twist on Egyptian staples and has a terrace overlooking the pyramid built for the pharaoh of the same name, has been ranked one of the Middle East and North Africa's top restaurants by World's 50 Best. 'It wasn't a good experience before, for sure,' said Mariam Al-Gohary, 37, an Egyptian-Canadian citizen who visited the pyramids in mid-May for the first time in 15 years. 'Now it's like going to the museum,' said Al-Gohary, who works in human resources in Calgary, Alberta. 'It looks like what you would expect a big tourist destination.' Visitor numbers were up almost 24% in April compared to the year before, according to the Tourism Ministry. Egypt's tourist sector is already on a tear and saw record arrivals in the opening months of 2025, though, so it's unclear how much the project itself drove the increase. You Might Also Like: Portugal considers sweetening incentives for Golden Visa program Tackling horsemen OPE's Gazarin says Egyptian authorities are also helping the company tackle a critical issue: hawkers offering horse and camel rides. They've long been accused of being aggressive and overcharging as they literally and figuratively take tourists for a ride. Al-Gohary from Calgary recalled that when she and her friend rode camels in 2010, the owner demanded extra money to have the animals kneel so they could dismount from them – an infamous ploy. She avoided them altogether on this year's visit. For first-time visitors, it's now easier to avoid getting swept up by the scams. The new setup has denied horsemen and hawkers the access they had to the old entrance, where they were accused of accosting tourists. Authorities have allocated horsemen a separate and relatively isolated area, but many have been defiant and pushed for positions closer to the pyramids. It's a work in progress, says Gazarin, who expects Egyptian authorities to gradually tighten the limits to better ensure enforcement. 'People were afraid to go to the pyramids' because of the issue, he said. He rues the fact the pyramids draw just 2.5 million visitors a year — half of them Egyptian. By comparison, over 12 million went to the Colosseum in Rome in 2023. But Gazarin knows it will take time to build up those numbers, especially in the face of regional conflicts that create some amount of local unpredictability. What matters, he says, is that the numbers trend upwards. 'It's unacceptable the world's most important monument attracts just above one million foreigners.'
Business Times
09-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
The US$30 million plan to overhaul tourism around Egypt's pyramids
[CAIRO] Some 2.5 million people visit the Pyramids of Giza each year with hopes of an epic experience befitting one of the World's Seven Wonders. But for decades, a trip to Egypt's most famous tourist spot meant battling crowds and parrying aggressive hawkers. Now, thanks to a US$30 million revamp that rethinks the experience, seeing the pyramids is finally inspiring more awe than agony. A network of buses whisks visitors around the site, the hard-sells have been tamed – and you can even enjoy some fine dining overlooking the 4,600-year-old monuments. All this officially debuts on Jul 3 – a milestone seven years in the making. In 2018, the Egyptian government signed a public-private partnership deal with Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris' Orascom Pyramids Entertainment (OPE) to overhaul the Giza Plateau, the area west of Cairo on which the ancient structures sit. A soft launch began in early April, allowing OPE to make improvements and address shortcomings ahead of a wider reveal, OPE executive chairman Amr Gazarin said. The firm will operate the location for the next 11 years, drawing revenue not from ticket sales – which the government is solely entitled to – but from VIP tours, sponsorship deals and commercial leases on the grounds. The opening date coincides with the long-awaited inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum – the US$1 billion flagship attraction sitting about a mile away. Taken together, the two projects represent some of the biggest strides yet in Egypt's goal of doubling annual visitors to 30 million within a decade. It's a target that would put it roughly on par with Greece, making it one of the most-visited countries in the world. New gate, new rules One of the key changes was to make the Giza Plateau car-free. Instead of driving up a winding road in the shadow of the Great Pyramid, visitors now enter via a gate on a highway 1.5 miles to the southwest. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up After passing through the so-called Great Gate and buying tickets, visitors navigate a gleaming hall of introductory exhibits before boarding new hop-on, hop-off buses. Within minutes, they can be dropped off at the feet of the three colossal pyramids, each built from 80 tonnes limestone blocks. The iconic Great Sphinx lies further below. At bus stops around the site they will find facilities that were long-lacking, including upgraded restrooms, formal souvenir stores and cafes. And, with the opening of several eateries in recent years, you can finally order a meal on-site. Khufu's, which serves up a deluxe twist on Egyptian staples and has a terrace overlooking the pyramid built for the pharaoh of the same name, has been ranked one of the Middle East and North Africa's top restaurants by the World's 50 Best. 'It wasn't a good experience before, for sure,' said Mariam Al-Gohary, 37, an Egyptian-Canadian citizen who visited the pyramids in mid-May for the first time in 15 years. 'Now it's like going to the museum,' said Al-Gohary, who works in human resources in Calgary, Alberta. 'It looks like what you would expect a big tourist destination.' Visitor numbers were up almost 24 per cent in April compared to the year before, according to the Tourism Ministry. Egypt's tourist sector is already on a tear and saw record arrivals in the opening months of 2025, though, so it's unclear how much the project itself drove the increase. Tackling horsemen OPE's Gazarin says Egyptian authorities are also helping the company tackle a critical issue: hawkers offering horse and camel rides. They have long been accused of being aggressive and overcharging as they literally and figuratively take tourists for a ride. Al-Gohary from Calgary recalled that when she and her friend rode camels in 2010, the owner demanded extra money to have the animals kneel so they could dismount from them – an infamous ploy. She avoided them altogether on this year's visit. For first-time visitors, it's now easier to avoid getting swept up by the scams. The new setup has denied horsemen and hawkers the access they had to the old entrance, where they were accused of accosting tourists. Authorities have allocated horsemen a separate and relatively isolated area, but many have been defiant and pushed for positions closer to the pyramids. It's a work in progress, says Gazarin, who expects Egyptian authorities to gradually tighten the limits to better ensure enforcement. 'People were afraid to go to the pyramids' because of the issue, he said. He rues the fact the pyramids draw just 2.5 million visitors a year – half of them Egyptian. By comparison, over 12 million went to the Colosseum in Rome in 2023. But Gazarin knows it will take time to build up those numbers, especially in the face of regional conflicts that create some amount of local unpredictability. What matters, he says, is that the numbers trend upwards. 'It's unacceptable the world's most important monument attracts just above one million foreigners.' BLOOMBERG
