[Haichuan Overseas Engineering] Hoisting of the first heavy-duty key equipment for Egypt’s NCIC Phase 3 fertilizer project – the ammonia synthesis tower – completed

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Recently, the first heavy key equipment for the Phase 3 fertilizer project at NCIC in Egypt, which was constructed through EPC general contracting by China Five Rings Engineering Corporation under China Chemical Engineering, was lifted into place; this marks the official start of the installation phase for large-scale equipment on the project. It is reported that Egypt’s NCIC Phase 3 fertilizer project is located in the Ain Sukhna Industrial Zone in Suez Governorate, Egypt. Using natural gas, phosphate rock, and sulfur as primary raw materials, it produces fertilizer products such as synthetic ammonia, large-grain urea, and ammonium phosphate. This project is the first natural gas-to-ammonia-urea project signed by a Chinese engineering company in the Egyptian market, which has traditionally been dominated by European and American companies. It is also a key cooperation project under China’s Chemical Engineering sector’s efforts to implement the Belt and Road Initiative. The project was constructed by a consortium formed by Wuhuan Company and Egypt’s PETROJET Company. The main construction tasks included the installation of a synthetic ammonia plant with a capacity of 1,200 tons per day, a large-granule urea plant with a capacity of 1,050 tons per day, two phosphatic ammonium plants each with an annual capacity of 1,200 tons, as well as the design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and performance testing of the plant’s utility systems and off-site facilities. The successful implementation of this project holds significant strategic importance for promoting the upgrading of Egypt’s domestic chemical industry and ensuring regional food security. As the patented equipment of the project, the lifting operation of the ammonia synthesis tower imposes extremely high demands on the technical approach, coordination, and safety control. To ensure the smooth progress of this lifting operation, the company maintained close communication with all parties involved in the project, conducted multiple rounds of reviews of the lifting plans and safety briefings, and carried out specialized inspections of the lifting equipment, rigging, and foundation bearing capacity, all to guarantee the success of the lifting operation. During the lifting process, representatives from all parties involved in the project gathered at the site, and the 503-ton ammonia synthesis tower was lifted smoothly through the combined efforts of two large cranes, one crawler crane, and one truck crane. The entire process was carried out strictly in accordance with the approved procedures, with sequential actions such as lifting, rotating, and positioning being performed smoothly and accurately. The whole operation was safe, under control, and conducted in an orderly manner.