Ain Sokhna Product Hub

A world-class center of energy

In partnership with Orascom, BESIX delivered the Ain Sokhna Product Hub: a 3-kilometre F-shaped jetty built in record time to support Egypt’s growing energy infrastructure. Despite tight deadlines, complex marine conditions, and live gas operations, the project was completed ahead of schedule, showcasing BESIX’s engineering excellence and logistical agility.

Project overview

Located on the Gulf of Suez, the Ain Sokhna Product Hub is a strategic marine terminal supporting Egypt’s energy sector. Commissioned by Sumed, the facility includes berths for LNG, LPG, and fuel oil, and plays a vital role in the country’s energy import and distribution network. The project began in 2016 and reached provisional acceptance in November 2017, nearly three weeks ahead of schedule. The hub now serves as a key node in Egypt’s gas infrastructure, with LNG being pumped into the national grid since May 2017.

Scope of work

The BESIX-Orascom joint venture was responsible for:

Designing and constructing a 3-km F-shaped jetty
Driving 420 piles, including 221 for the first berth alone
Executing all mechanical and electrical (M&E) works, including firefighting systems, lighting, CCTV, control buildings, and power supply
Adapting the original design to a piled jetty due to liquefaction risks
Managing construction in a live operational environment with ongoing gas regasification

The project required rapid mobilization of equipment from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, including jack-up barges, crane barges, supply barges, and tugboats.

Key highlights

Short construction time: The first 2 km of jetty and LNG berth were completed in just 5.5 months, including all M&E works and commissioning.
Engineering adaptability: A last-minute design change from a rock-dumped causeway to a bored piled jetty was successfully implemented using 1.5-meter diameter piles.
Live environment execution: Construction continued safely and efficiently while LNG regasification operations were already underway.
Global collaboration: Teams across Dubai, Brussels, Lisbon, and Cairo worked in close coordination, ensuring seamless execution and delivery.
Client confidence: Following the successful delivery of the initial two berths, Sumed awarded a variation order for a third berth.

The construction of a 2 km long jetty 'ready to berth a ship' in only 5.5 months has only been possible thanks to the excellent spirit in which the teams worked together, including a close collaboration between the client and the various BESIX and Orascom departments. This project has set the standard for future tenders, keeping BESIX competitive in an increasingly demanding market.