Port Sudan

History

Founding and early history

Port Sudan was built between 1905 and 1909 by the administration of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan to replace Suakin—the historic, coral-choked Arab port. An oil pipeline was built between the port and Khartoum in 1977.

Early 21st century

In 2009, Israel allegedly used naval commandos to attack Iranian arms ships at Port Sudan as part of Operation Birds of Prey. In 2020, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced that the Russian Navy would begin construction on a base with capacity for 300 personnel and four warships in Port Sudan. The facility would provide Russia with a naval base in the nation for at least 25 years. The plan was ultimately suspended, though Sudanese leadership has indicated that it is possible for the construction to go ahead in the future.

In 2016, it was reported that residents of Port Sudan face water scarcity. Following the October–November 2021 Sudanese coup d'état, the Beja tribal council initiated a weeklong blockade of the city's ports. Following negotiations with military officials, the blockade was lifted.

Sudanese civil war (2023–present)

During the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), Port Sudan has emerged as a leading destination and refuge for internally displaced persons fleeing war in other parts of the country. Internally-displaced refugees in the city reportedly face extreme heat and shortages of food and water.

By late October 2023, Reuters reported that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) controlled most of Khartoum, causing the government led by Abdul Fattah el-Burhan to have largely relocated to Port Sudan. General Abdul Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces, "has threatened to establish a cabinet" in Port Sudan, "with the intention of creating an alternative or second capital." Hemedti, leader of the RSF, in turn, warned that this would lead to him declaring his own rival government based in Khartoum or another city he controlled. Analysts have raised concerns of a lasting split similar to that of Libya during its civil wars. Port Sudan has been described as becoming a "de facto" capital of Sudan.

Iran and Russia have been trying to negotiate with Sudan to build a naval base in the city.

On 4 May 2025, the RSF launched a drone attack on Port Sudan for the first time since the beginning of the war, targeting the Osman Digna Air Base, "a goods warehouse and some civilian facilities" and causing "limited damage". A day later, another RSF drone attack occurred targeting fuel depots, leading to a fire. Some Arab nations condemned the actions.

Economy

The city has an oil refinery and handles 90% of the country's international trade. Major exports include oilseed, senna, and hides and skins. Imports include construction materials, heavy machinery, and vehicles.

Transport

The city has a modern container port to handle imports and exports. The port is part of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road that runs from the Chinese coast via the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean, there to the Upper Adriatic region of Trieste with its rail connections to Central and Eastern Europe.

The main airport is Port Sudan New International Airport. There is now a tarred road linking Port Sudan to Khartoum via Atbara. Port Sudan also has a 1067 mm gauge rail link with Khartoum. There is also an international ferry from Jeddah.

In 2023 a new seaport was proposed about 200 km north of Port Sudan at Abu Amama. A 450 km road to the farming hub at Abu Hamad would also be provided. This new seaport would be opposite Jeddah and thus shorten the ferry trip.

Education

The city is home to the Red Sea University, established in 1994.{{cite web |access-date = 2011-09-17 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110812082347/http://africa.isp.msu.edu/AUP/instinfo.htm?id=1216 |archive-date = 2011-08-12

Places of worship

Places of worship are predominantly Muslim mosques,Britannica, Sudan, britannica.com, USA, accessed on July 7, 2019 but there are also Christian churches and temples including the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Khartoum (Catholic Church), Sudan Interior Church (Baptist World Alliance), and Presbyterian Church in Sudan (World Communion of Reformed Churches) and Coptic Orthodox Churches.

Climate

Port Sudan has a hot desert climate (Köppen: BWh) with extremely hot summers and moderately hot winters, requiring the acquisition of fresh water from Wadi Arba'at in the Red Sea Hills and from salt-evaporating pans. Temperatures can easily exceed 30 C in winter and 45 C in summer. Over 90% of the annual rainfall falls between October and January, mostly in November, with the wettest month on record being November 1947 with 182 mm, whilst the wettest year was from July 1923 to June 1924 with 231 mm. Average annual rainfall is 76 mm, and no rainfall occurred between January 1983 and June 1984. The mean temperature year round (the average of all daily highs and nighttime lows) is 28.4 C.

| Jan record high C = 37 | Feb record high C = 36.6 | Mar record high C = 40 | Apr record high C = 41.8 | May record high C = 47 | Jun record high C = 48.6 | Jul record high C = 48.9 | Aug record high C = 48.6 | Sep record high C = 46.5 | Oct record high C = 44.3 | Nov record high C = 39 | Dec record high C = 38 | year record high C = 48.9 | Jan record low C = 10 | Feb record low C = 10 | Mar record low C = 10 | Apr record low C = 12.3 | May record low C = 17.4 | Jun record low C = 17.2 | Jul record low C = 20 | Aug record low C = 20 | Sep record low C = 18.9 | Oct record low C = 16 | Nov record low C = 17.5 | Dec record low C = 9 | year record low C = 9

|access-date = January 22, 2024}}{{Cite FTP | url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-I/SU/62641.TXT | access-date = January 24, 2015}} | access-date = 22 October 2016}}

Demographics

The population consists mainly of Sudanese Arabs, including the native Beja people, with small Asian and European minorities.

Sport

Hay Al-Arab SC founded in 1928, and Hilal Alsahil SC founded in 1937, both play at the Port Sudan Stadium in the football Sudan Premier League. The city's third team is Al-Merreikh Al-Thagher.

Notable people

• Gawaher (Pop singer)
• Ra'ouf Mus'ad (Playwright)

Notes

References

• Arckell, A. J., UNESCO General History of Africa, History of Darfur 1200-1700 A.D. SNR.
• Encyclopædia Britannica, "Port Sudan" (description), 2007, webpage: EB-PortSudan.
• {{Citation |publisher = ABC-CLIO |location = Santa Barbara, Cal. |editor1=Michael R. T. Dumper |editor2=Bruce E. Stanley |isbn=9781576079195 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=3SapTk5iGDkC |title = Cities of the Middle East and North Africa |date = 2008

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29. {{Cite EB1911