Egypt protests affect ports

   Egyptian ports have been affected this week by violent protests aimed at the government.
   A note from the port operator DP World said the Port of Sokhna, on the Red Sea, has been shuttered due to the protests.
   “We expect that there may be some disruption to operations activities, which are outside our control and may affect vessel and land side operations,” the operator said Thursday. “Hence we wish to inform you in advance that this threat is likely to be implemented by contractor workers effective (today). If vessels due to arrive at Sokhna can be rerouted or diverted this is an opportunity to prepare accordingly. If you are considering this, we would be willing to assist in finding alternative solutions within the region.”
   The violent riots this week are reported to have begun in Port Said in response to the government handing death sentences to 21 people after soccer riots that killed 74 a year ago. Embattled Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi declared a state of emergency in Port Said, Suez, and Ismalia, all three port cities along the Suez Canal.
   Violence also erupted in Egypt’s capital, Cairo, as well as in 12 of Egypt’s 27 provinces earlier this week, while the government maintained that the unrest would not affect vessels transiting the canal, a vital economic resource for the country. – Eric Johnson