The Suez Canal Authority received offers for a bid to build four new locomotives to pull ships crossing the Suez Canal, at a cost of €40m.

According to sources, which requested anonymity, this bid is part of a plan the authority is working on to support locomotives and the marine boat fleet. This would improve the efficiency of the service provided to ships and to maintain revenues from offering these services.

The winning offer will be decided by the first half of this year, the sources said, to ensure fast implementation and delivery.

Over the past five years, 10 new locomotives were added to the fleet at a cost of EGP 650m.

According to the sources, the authority signed contracts to build 40 boats for navigation guidance in the new canal to improve efficiency. Part of this new fleet will be allocated for subsidies of the Suez Canal Authority.