Port Sudan (Arabic: بور سودان, romanized: Būr Sūdān, Beja: Bar'uut) is a port city on the Red Sea in eastern Sudan, and the capital of Red Sea State. Port Sudan is Sudan's main seaport and the source of 90% of the country's international trade.[2] The population of Port Sudan was estimated in the 2008 Census of Sudan to be 394,561 people.[3]
Port Sudan has historically been a center for commercial activity, particularly in the shipping industry.[4] During the 2023 Sudan war, the military government has largely relocated to Port Sudan as a result of intense fighting in the capital city Khartoum, leading to it being described as a de facto capital of the country. Port Sudan also has emerged as a refuge for internally displaced persons in 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.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7] The plan was ultimately suspended, though Sudanese leadership has indicated that it is possible for the construction to go ahead in the future.[8]
In 2016, it was reported that residents of Port Sudan face water scarcity.[9] 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.[10]
2023 Sudan war
During the 2023 Sudan war, Port Sudan has emerged as a leading destination and refuge for internally displaced persons fleeing war in other parts of the country.[4][11] Internally-displaced refugees in the city reportedly face extreme heat and shortages of food and water.[12]
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.[13] General Abdul Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces, "has threatened to establish a cabinet at the Red Sea city of 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.[14] Port Sudan has been described as becoming a "de facto" capital of Sudan.[15][16]
Economy
Fish restaurant in Port Sudan
The city has an oil refinery and handles 90% of the country's international trade.[5][2] Major exports include oilseed, senna, and hides and skins. Imports include construction materials, heavy machinery, and vehicles.
In 2023 a new seaport was proposed about 200km north of Port Sudan at Abu Amama.[21] A 450km road to the farming hub at Abu Hamad would also be provided. This new seaport is opposite Jeddah which shortens the ferry trip from Jeddah.
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 (86 °F) in winter and 45 °C (113 °F) 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 millimetres (7.2 in), whilst the wettest year was from July 1923 to June 1924 with 231 millimetres (9.1 in). Average annual rainfall is 76 millimetres (3.0 in), and no rainfall occurred between January 1983 and June 1984.[24] The mean temperature year round (the average of all daily highs and nighttime lows) is 28.4 °C (83.1 °F).
Climate data for Port Sudan, Sudan (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1906–present)
^Foy, Henry; Schipani, Andres (November 16, 2020). "Russia to build naval base in Sudan". The Financial Times. Archived from the original on November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020. Russia will build a naval base on Sudan's Red Sea coast, its first in Africa, as the Kremlin seeks to expand its global military footprint and cement its burgeoning trade and defence ties with the continent. The Russian navy has been directed to proceed with plans to construct a base for 300 personnel and space for up to four warships, including nuclear-powered vessels, according to an order signed by president Vladimir Putin on Monday.
