As part of their commitment to environmental preservation and sustainability, Shell Egypt and its partners in Red Sea; Mubadala Energy, Woodside Energy and Tharwa in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MoPMR), Ganoub El Wadi Petroleum Holding Company (Ganope), and the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA), has inaugurated the Red Sea initiative to protect coral reefs. This ambitious initiative focuses on protecting the region’s vibrant coral reefs by enhancing mooring systems to prevent damage caused by different activities.
Under the auspices of Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources; Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment; and Amr Hanafi, Governor of the Red Sea, the project launch marks a significant milestone in sustainable community development and environmental stewardship.
The project’s first phase focuses on enhancing the mooring systems at critical sites, including Abu Dabab Reef, Abu Kizan Reef, and Malahi Reef. Up to 31 eco-friendly mooring buoys, known as “shamandurat”, will be installed to minimize random anchoring damage to the coral reefs. These improvements will provide a safer, more sustainable anchoring solution for the tourism industry.
The project embodies Shell Egypt’s commitment to sustainable development and the preservation of Egypt’s natural resources. As part of its social investment strategy, Shell and its partners in Red Sea; Mubadala Energy, Woodside Energy and Tharwa have partnered with Ganope & HEPCA to conduct an in-depth environmental needs assessment for the Red Sea. The findings highlighted the urgent need to protect the region’s coral reefs, which are an ecological treasure and a critical source of national tourism revenue.
With over 200,000 visitors each year to remote reefs and islands, the pressure on these fragile ecosystems is immense. Without intervention, this could lead to severe environmental degradation, jeopardizing both marine biodiversity and the tourism sector’s contribution to the national economy.
Dalia Elgabry, VP & Country Chair of Shell Egypt, emphasized the company’s dedication to impactful social investment programs: “Our work on the Red Sea initiative is an integral part of Shell Egypt’s commitment to fostering sustainability. By protecting Egypt’s coral reefs, we are safeguarding a vital economic resource while supporting the long-term health of our planet. This project exemplifies how public-private partnerships can drive meaningful change and contribute to global sustainable development goals.”
This project demonstrates the power of collaboration between the private sector, government entities, and civil society organizations. This partnership aligns with the Ministry of Petroleum’s broader CSR strategy to deliver positive societal impact, prioritize environmental sustainability, and reinforce Egypt’s global leadership in sustainable energy practices.
Through this initiative, Shell Egypt reaffirms its position as a key contributor to Egypt’s sustainable development. The Red Sea project underscores the company’s dedication to creating a lasting positive impact on the environment and local communities, the company said in a statement.
