After 6 days being taken kind of hostage in the Port of Damietta we have left Egypt. As mentioned before the local agent KADMAR had the Egyptian police to seize the SISA ferry on 22nd November. The reasons were financial disputes between the ship owner and his local agent.
Only after having completed most of the customs formalities for our car the passengers were told that the departure would be postponed. So we had to wait in a nearby hotel; of course on our own cost. On 24th we were asked to proceed with the car to the ferry. Cars and trucks parked next to the ferry. There we were waiting for almost all day. The ferry was heavily secured by the police, nobody was allowed to enter or to leave it. In the evening we were informed that departure would be further delayed. All cars and trucks had to move to a nearby parking lot, nobody could leave the port even if we did not yet pass Egyptian immigration. The next 2 days we were camping on this parking lot, on a tarmac covered by quite some layers of mud consisting of soil, oil, salt and some other unknown chemicals with an acid smell. There were absolutely no supply or ablution facilities available. We were happy to find some water with one of the local agents in the port. We had an emergency ration left from crossing Sudan and additionally we were invited by a lot of truck drivers waiting for the same ferry. After 2 days of intense discussions between SISA and the Egyptians at least the passengers were allowed to board the ferry. SISA offered us a cabin free of cost; they signed responsible for all meals. Definitely SISA took a great effort to compensate the passengers at least as much as they could. The local agent Kadmar simply disappeared. Finally, on 28th SISA and Kadmar came to an agreement, in the evening the ferry left Damietta for Turkey.

We were told that SISA suspended all collaboration with Kadmar with immediate effect. They claim to have a new local agent. This absolutely needs to be checked by any potential traveller before making any payment to Kadmar. Additionally it seems to be unclear weather or not SISA will really continue the service to Damietta as they have recently opened an alternative service to Haifa. SISA in Iskenderun may provide information on the current situation. In addition to the ship Niossos Rhodos the ferry Aqua Herkules plies between Damietta and Mersin. It departs approx. every 6 days, takes 29 h and costs 225 US$ pp (you have to take a cabin) and 400 US$ for a car, handling fee 50 US$. The local agent is Polaris Shipping in Damietta.

SISA charged us the following fees for Damietta – Iskenderun: Car US$ 460, seat US$ 130 pp, handling fee local agent (Kadmar) US$ 50, storage fees in the port US$ 50 (2 days).

Kind regards

Monika & Martin