00:07Launched in 2023, the roll-on roll-off route known as Roro essentially links Italy's Trieste
00:15port to Egypt's Damietta port on the Mediterranean Sea. But it has now been extended so that
00:21containers are then transported by land across Egypt to the Red Sea ports and then shipped
00:27along the Suez Canal to the Gulf states. This little-known route has now emerged as a possible
00:34lifeline as disruptions at the state of Hormuz destabilized global economies.
00:43It considerably reduces the shipping period between Europe and the Arabian Gulf because it takes only
00:4936 hours for a vessel from the Suez Canal to Jeddah port in Saudi Arabia, while it takes about 12
00:56days
00:56to transport it through the street of Hormuz. However, the Roro cannot fully replace the Hormuz
01:04Strait. The drawback is that containers are being loaded and unloaded several times during the trip,
01:11as well as the limited volumes that can be transported through it.
01:16The link is about 60 ton per week versus the DCC having plus 30, 36 to 40 trillion ton per
01:36year. But anyhow,
01:37it's a business model that is showing the capacity and capability to reduce the shipment times and cost as well.
01:49It could be developed, but that, as I mentioned,
01:52it requires substantial investment, substantial logistics arrangement and alignment to make this corridor valid and visible economically to the GCC.
02:06It will also link with the new MSC route from North Europe to Saudi Arabia through Egyptian ports,
02:14supporting Egypt's quest to become a regional transport gateway.
02:21The Roro project is essential for trade, especially oil and agricultural products, between Egypt and Europe,
02:28since the volatility in the Middle East has destabilized international trade. It creates a channel to guarantee constant supplies.
02:36Even after the war, it will remain a main route to multiply exports to and from Europe.
02:42Shippers believe the Roro could benefit African trade as well.
02:49There is a potential for this route to branch out into sub-corridors for African countries,
02:55either through land or the Red Sea at Mandab Strait. From there, large vessels or feeder ships
03:01can transport the containers further south in Africa.
03:04What's evident is that recent conflicts have provoked nations
03:08to seek multiple trade routes to prevent supply shortages and economic recessions.
03:14Let's do this.
03:14Let's see.
03:15Let's see.
03:15Let's see.
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