Port Overview 

(Source: General Admin for Planning & Research / Statistics and Information centre) 

Port Sudan is the capital of the Red Sea State and the Republic of Sudan’s main sea port. It is situated on latitude (19 ` 39) north and longitude (73 ` 13) east on the middle of the Red Sea coast and was established in 1910. It occupies a strategic location in the centre of the west coast of the Red Sea about 1200 km northeast Khartoum and about 260 km southwest Jeddah (in Saudi Arabia Kingdom). Port Sudan is mainly handling general cargo, livestock, cement, containers, oil products, grains, pesticides and cars. 

The Sea Ports Corporation (SPC) is an independent state corporation of Sudan that governs, constructs, and maintains the ports, harbours and lighthouses of Sudan. The company was founded in 1974 by the government of Sudan to be the national port operator and port authority. The Ports of Sudan fall under the Ministry of Transport, Roads and Bridges.  

Website: www.mot.gov.sd   

Port website: www.sudanports.gov.sd   

Key port information may also be found at http://www.maritime-database.com 

Port Picture

Port Sudan is divided into four components. The North Port B quays include 12 berths of a total 1866 meters long with alongside depths from 8.5 to 10.7 meters, handling primarily general cargo, edible oils, and molasses. The five berths that handle general cargo and molasses are a total of 822 meters long with alongside depths from 8.5 to 10.7 meters. Four berths of 365.7 meters with alongside depth of 10.7 meters handle general cargo and edible oils. 

Port Sudan Harbor consists of: 

1. The North Port, which is the oldest Port, consisting of 12 berths with depths between 8.5 meters and 10.7 meters allocated for general cargo, bulk cement, edible oils, and molasses. 
2. The South Port consists of 6 berths, berth #15 for the handling of grains and general cargo, berths 13 through to 18 for containerised traffic. 
3. The Green Port consists of 4 berths with a total lengths of 1226 meters and a depth of 14.7 meters. It is equipped with services for dry bulk cargo and it is able to accommodate vessels up to 50,000 DWT  
4. The Alkhair (Dama Dama) oil terminal can receive tankers up to 50,000 DWT with a draft of 14.6 meters 

 

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

The main company at the port is the Sea Port Corporation, which is the national port operator and authority.   

Port Performance

The Port is designed and has the capacity to handle Panamax size bulk carriers. 

Vessels calls have decreased by only 15.5% from 755 calls in 2014 to 638 calls in 2017. 

Import traffic has increased by 60% from 6 Million tons in 2014 to 9.6 Million tons in 2017. 

Exports have increased by 532% from 350,409 tons in 2014 to 2,215,005 tons in 2017. 

 

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges 

Link to relevant tariff/rates webpage: www.sudanports.gov.sd

The cargo handling and discharge rates at the Port of Sudan are: 

The discharge rates are based on the working norms of the Port and are not those negotiated by World Food Programme. 

Shifts per day 7 hours per shift normal working 6 hours  

(1hrs break each shift) Working hours Saturday/Thursday 

 1st shift 0730 – 1430 

 2nd shift 1530 - 2230 

 3rd shift 2330 - 0530 (Overtime) 

Friday and gazette official holiday port operates on an overtime basis 

 1st shift 0730 - 1200 

 2nd shift 1530 - 2230 

 3rd shift 2330 – 0530 

Berthing Specifications

The two Port Sudan berths handling bulk cement in the North quays are 98.3 meters long with alongside depth of 8.7 meters. The North quays have 27 stores covering 57, 000 M2, designed to handle up to five million tons of cargo per year. The North quays also include two berths of 122 meters with alongside depth of 6.1 meters for barges used to export livestock.  

General Cargo Handling Berths

Port Handling Equipment 

A private company, the Sea Ports Corporation (SPC), manages the port equipment. The SPC is an independent state corporation of Sudan that governs & maintains the ports and the harbours. The Port handling equipment is generally in good condition, but the fixed general cargo “Luffing” cranes with a capacity between 5 and 15 metric tons are in poor condition.  

It is a prerequisite by the Port Sudan authorities that Vessels to load and/or discharge bulk – general cargoes over the quay must be ‘geared’. 

Container Facilities 

Reefer slots are available, in the past years the average number of reefer units that have passed through the Port Sudan amounted to an average of 300 TEUs per year. Reefer capability was not surveyed and/or linked to the cold chain. 

Customs Guidance 

To clear import cargo for consumption within Sudan, nominated clearing agents are also tasked to clear cargo in transit consigned to Chad and neighbouring countries (Ethiopia, ROSS) subject to the established customs rules & regulations and border formalities. 

For information on customs, please see the following link: 1.3 Sudan Customs Information

Terminal Information 

Multipurpose Terminal

The Multi-purpose terminal at the North Quay is able to handle all types of cargo subject to the vessels general configuration and draft. The discharge and/or delivery to/from Ship’s side requires pre-planning to avoid delays. 

The shore luffing cranes (capacity 5 to 15 tons) are however in poor mechanical repair hence the Port Authorities require that vessels arriving at Port Sudan be suitably geared with cranes and/or derricks. Shore winch men are available. 

Oil Handling Terminal - the Elkhair (Dama Dama) oil terminal can receive tankers up to 50,000 DWT with a draft of 14.5 metres. In 2017, 77 vessels used the berth, and 2,222,591 metric tons of petroleum products were imported. There were no petroleum products exported in 2017. Last petroleum exports were done in 2014.  

Grain and Bulk Handling 

There are five vertical silo and one horizontal silo operators within the port as follows; 

1. 50,000 MT capacity situated at Berth 15 - owned/operated by the Agricultural Bank of Sudan. Facility is mainly used for Sorghum exports. 
2. 60,000 MT silo capacity at Green Port area operated by WITA. WITA also has another 70,000 mt silo capacity 3km outside of port. 
3. 90,000 MT silo capacity at the Green Port area operated by SEEN Flour Mills. 
4. 76,000 MT silo capacity at the Green Port area owned by ALKHALEEJ but operated by SEEN. 
5. 140,000 MT silo capacity at the Green Port area owned/operated by DAL Foods/Sayga Flour Mills. 
6. 50,000 MT horizontal silo capacity at the North Quay operated by SEAGRAINS. 

In total, the silo capacity at PORT SUDAN is 536,000 MT. 

The method of discharge to these silo facilities is from ship’s holds with grabs or Pneumatic Buhler evacuators onto hoppers, into bulk trucks which transport and dump the bulk to the respective facility repeatedly. The daily discharge rate can get to 12,000 metric tons pwwd using Ship’s gear with four gangs. 

Most of the silo operators subsequently deliver the cargo bulk to up country mills except Sayga that has a bagging option. The daily bagging rate basis 16 working hours is around 2000 metric tons.  

The silo facilities have a rail connection and there is ongoing works to extend the rail to the quayside of the Green port berths.  

Bagging – Grain Handling

There are two main international bagging operators operating from Port Sudan (PORTSERVE & IMGS) through local partners. These provide the conventional discharge/bagging services alongside ship using bagging plants each having two bagging lines, with sewing machines, scales and escalators to move the bags to landside stowage and/or transport. The mobile bagging machines are also hired out to the vertical or horizontal silo operators whenever they would require to deliver cargo bagged. 

Discharge is mainly using ship gear, ship/own grabs and port labour. Four gangs are usually allocated to a vessel and the daily discharge is around 2500 to 3000 MT/wwd. Usually crane operators, supervisors, labour on the bagging plant, and a mechanical/electrical engineer are on standby at the vessel.  

Conventional Cargo 

The general cargo terminals are situated at the North Port and Green Port. These facilities are able to handle general cargo, unitised cargo, bagged, bulk, vehicles, project and heavy lift/out of gauge traffic. Cargo is discharged from ship’s holds using slings and nets by ship/shore cranes and onto the quayside from where the port labor loads it to trucks/wagons for delivery. There are also several warehouses alongside the berths that have been leased out. 

Containerised Cargo (THC) 

The South Port consists of six berths. Berths 13 to 18 are used for containerised cargos while berth 15 is a bulk silo loading/discharge facility. 

Containers are unloaded from ships using STS gantry cranes onto terminal tractors which transfer them for stacking within the terminal. Delivery from the terminal is by RTG onto trucks that transfer containers from terminal to the customs inspection area. Lift off/on at the customs inspection area is Reach Stackers. After inspection the containers are either loaded on to trucks full or de-stuffed and shifted to the storage area doe empties.  

Main Storage Terminal 

Stevedoring 

Labour working inside the ship and for stacking cargo on trucks is engaged and paid for by the ship agent, clearing agent or transporter. Port labour however handle cargo at the quayside. The wages paid to shore side labour is negotiated with the Unions and tariffs are calculated based on cargo configuration. 

Hinterland Information

Commodities are moved out of the port by rail or road. Delivery is mostly through primary transporters, local shunting and direct deliveries to the main hubs. Direct deliveries have been performed to Khartoum, El Obeid, Fasher, Nyala and Kosti. Direct deliveries from Port Sudan Warehouse to minor hubs like Damazine, Kasalla etc are also possible.  

Port Security

The Port is ISPS compliant. All entry points are secured, manned by Port Police and Customs Officers and access is subject to permits (usually given within one day by the Port Sudan Authorities after presentation of original identification documents and letter of request). 

The fenced and secured port area is ‘customs bonded’: no cargo may enter or leave the port area without the requisite customs and associated documentation being completed and approved through the Customs Controls.  

The ships in the port have their own security and ‘gangway watch’.  

 

In addition, there are two secondary/tertiary Sudanese Ports on the Red Sea that function as alternative port gateways to the Republic of Sudan, these are Osman Digna port at Sawakin (South of Port Sudan) and Bashair port.

Key airport information may also be found at: http://worldaerodata.com/

 

For more information on contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Sudan Government Contact List

The Republic of Sudan’s road network covers approximately 30,000 km of road, of which 7,000 km are asphalted, 4300 km are gravelled. In addition to urban roads and urban programmes total an additional 1,000 km of paved road.  

Distance Matrix 

Travel time has been calculated on the average speed of 50 km per hour (considering status of roads) plus 25% to cover rest periods and usual breaks in the route.   

The worst case scenarios will need to factor in prolonged delays due to road conditions, the rainy season (May to October), delays of convoys and escorts, and potential mechanical failures.  

Road Security 

The security requirements and scenarios vary depending on the routes. All road transportation requires security clearance from HAC, NISS and MCS, with for UN agencies oversight from UNDSS and from the Security units of each UN Agency. On specific routes, road haulers are required to move under convoy with security from UNAMID and/or Sudanese Police or Army. Convoys and the related escorts must be arranged well in advance with UNAMID and/or the relevant authority. All clearances must be arranged through HAC, NISS and MCS.

In addition the prevailing seasonal weather conditions must also be taken into consideration, wash ways, flooded rivers that cause roads to be impassable, the presence of animals on the road (camels, livestock) and the bad conditions of several roads (potholes etc.). The distances are vast, there is negligible roadside support in case of accidents or breakdowns, and thus it is important to adhere to security procedures and standards. 

Weighbridges and Axle Load Limits 

The National Highway Authority ensures that road vehicles are laden based on axle distribution. Weighbridges are positioned in strategic locations to enforce safety and legislation on ‘safe working loads/limits’.

The Sudanese Chamber of Transport Union advises that the maximum axle load limitations for road trucks on Sudan roads are: 

New regulation in 2017 stipulated that the maximum load limit is 54 mt.  

Loading dimensions should not exceed 3 metres in height and 2.5 metres in width; any loading exceeding these parameters may be considered as “abnormal loading” and may require escorts to caution other road users on dangerous ‘out of gauge‘ traffic.  

CHAD:  The axle weight maximum for one axle is 13 Metric Tons. The configuration of the loads should not exceed 2.5 metres (width) and 4 metres (height). 

SUDAN: The axle weight maximum for one axle is 10 Metric Tons. 

Road Corridor Assessments 

The following table shows WFP corridors inside Sudan for both WFP fleet and commercial transporters convoys:  

From El Obeid to El Fasher  

El Obeid is the main intermediate hub for food aid going to Western Sudan (Darfur); it represents one of the primary hubs in Sudan for both commercial and WFP operations, due to its central geographical location, that links the port in the East to the Western and Southern areas of the country. Therefore, most of transport companies in Sudan have a representative/branch office in El Obeid to facilitate their transport business to West and South Sudan.  

The main road from El Obeid to El Fasher is a paved/asphalt highway and is accessible throughout the year to all types of traffic. This road is safe and there is no need for escorts for both WFP fleet and commercial trucks. The journey route is El Obeid – En Nuhud – Dam Jamad – Um Kadada – Al Koma – El Fasher. Starting point of the escort is in Darfur (El Fasher) – Zalingei – Morni – El Geneina. 

General information:

From El Obeid to Nyala:

The main road from El Obeid to Nyala is paved/asphalt up to El Nuhud town (206 Km) while the rest (474 Km) is dirt. The dirt part of the road is usually blocked during rainy season in some parts. The journey route is El Obeid – Babanosa – Ed Daein – Nyala (starting point of the escort as the next point will be in Darfur) – Zalingei – Morni – El Geneina. Some routes can be accessed during the dry season only, while there are alternative roads that are used during the rainy season. The rainy season affects transport rates as transporters have to depend on longer routes so as to reach the inaccessible destinations, resulting in an increase of transportation rates by nearly 20% to 25% compared to the dry season rates.  

General information:

From El Obeid to Kadugli

The main road from El Obeid to Kadugli is tarmac and accessible to all traffic. However, El Obeid to Abu Jebeeha, Kalogi and Talodi is only useable in the dry season.   

General information

From El Fasher to El Geneina

The main road from El Fasher to El Geneina is gravel, and is accessible only during the dry season. It is suitable only for heavy trucks (15 – 23 MTs) without trailer as well as light vehicles pick-up (4WD). 

General information:

Escorting  

Escorting trucks is very important to ensure the safe delivery of commodities and cargo. Insecurity can impact dispatches to conflict areas resulting in delays in delivery, high transport rates, and high level of losses. 

Government of Sudan police usually organises and conducts military escort to protect fuel tankers passing through Darfur states. Also trucks that carry dry cargo are included in this type of escorting which can involve up to 500 vehicles. 

Escorts movement usually takes place three times per month (the gap between each escort and next one is 10 days), but sometimes movements are affected by the readiness and actual security situation in the respective area. The allowed average speed for the escorted trucks is 50 to 70 Km/hour during the daylight and no trucks movement is allowed during night hours.    

 

Obstacles and bridges 

 

 

General overview 

Sudan Railways Corporation is one of the longest railways in Africa. It operates a 4578 km long single line of 1067 mm (3’6”) Gauge. The railway main route extends from Port Sudan via Atbara to Khartoum with an alternate link between Haya and Sennar via Kassala. There are branch lines north to Karima and Wadi Halfa. Also from Khartoum the line runs southwest to El Obeid via Sennar and Kosti with extensions to Nayala in Southern Darfur and Wau in Western Bahr Al Gazal (South Sudan). 

The latest extensions include new lines for transportation of crude oil constructed between El Mujlad and Abu Gabra (52 Km), between the refinery in Abu Khrais and El Obeid station (10 Km), and Marawi Dam branch line from El Ban station. 

The Sudanese Railway Corporation owns 48 train-heads and 2746 wagons of various capacities and shapes (flat, silos and cargo). Between the period 2013 – 2016, the corporation imported 29 train-heads and 652 wagons of various capacities. The renovation process is currently on going for the railway line between Khartoum and Port Sudan, 882 Km renovated so far, remaining 150 Km and the official opening is expected to take place by end 2016. When the renovation project completes, the journey between PZU and Nyala will take only 7 days. All the trains / stations are connected with GPS system. The railway line between Port Sudan and Kosti is operating and ready to use. The only railway route linked with South Sudan is via Babanousa (West Kordofan State) to Wau (South Sudan). The rail map includes the links through to the Republic of South Sudan although it is presently inoperative.  

The Sudan Railways falls under the Ministry of Transport. For additional information, please see the following links: 

4.1 Sudan Government Contact List

4.9 Sudan Railway Companies Contact List

 

Railway Companies and Consortia 

Private Sector Consortium comprised of 222,522 freight tons, which makes up 21.1 % of the total freight carried on Sudan Railways Corporation, is spread out as scheduled  

In 2011/2012, Sudan Railways Corporation suspended all passenger services. The implementation of the planned rehabilitation and the modernisation of the railway system will reduce the dependence movements by road and the targeted outcome is to reduce the overall costs of transporting freight and passengers. 

Capacity Table  

Key Route Information 

Key Stations 

 

 

 

Company Information

NRTC, SRTC, Keer Marine, Shankien, Nile Barges are the main water transport companies that were operating through Khartoum – Kosti.

All the above companies have pusher and barges in South Sudan (NRTC 6 pusher, 32 barges; SRTC 1 pusher, 5 barges; Nile Barge 2 pusher, 9 barges; Keer Marine 1 pusher, 6 pusher; Shankien 1 pusher, 2 barges).

Other water transport companies that flow on the same line:

 

Travel Time Matrix

 

Key Routes

 

North River Nile waterway:

Through Halfa – Akasha – Dongola that covers total distance of 439 kilometres with sailing problems at Dal water dam area.

Suggested/planned waterways: -

A/ Barbar – Khartoum – Kosti:
Last technical study was done in 2006 by Sea Ports Water Corporation with total distance of 680 kilometres from Barbar to Kosti. The main sailing problems are represented by the rocks at five sites in Sabaloga area, north Khartoum as well as islands and moving sands that seasonally block the line.

B/ El Rosaires – Ethiopia Waterway:
Under study stage with total distance of 576 kilometres.  

Port Information

 

Connection with other means of transport (road/railways/air).

The Inland Port of Kosti is connected by Rail and Road from Khartoum, Port Sudan and El Obeid