Port Sudan

Port Sudan was built between 1905 and 1909 by the administration of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan to replace Suakin—the historic, coral-choked Arab port.{{Cite news|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Port-Sudan|title=Port Sudan {{!}} Facts|work=Encyclopedia Britannica|access-date=2018-11-02|language=en}} An oil pipeline was built between the port and Khartoum in 1977.

In 2009, Israel allegedly used naval commandos to attack Iranian arms ships at Port Sudan as part of Operation Birds of Prey.{{Cite news |last=Ynet |date=2009-04-08 |title=Report: Naval commando forces involved in Sudan strike |language=en |work=Ynetnews |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3699142,00.html |access-date=2022-11-26}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Foy |first1=Henry |last2=Schipani |first2=Andres |date=November 16, 2020 |title=Russia to build naval base in Sudan |newspaper=The Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/6c3ccb03-8e4a-4c1a-8240-d7493f70ef59 |url-status=live |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201120154914/https://www.ft.com/content/6c3ccb03-8e4a-4c1a-8240-d7493f70ef59 |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |quote=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.}} The plan was ultimately suspended, though Sudanese leadership has indicated that it is possible for the construction to go ahead in the future.{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Michael M. |date=2022-03-02 |title=U.S. Worries Sudan Is Close to Leasing Russia a Red Sea Base |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-worries-sudan-is-close-to-leasing-russia-a-red-sea-base-11646255126 |access-date=2022-04-22 |issn=0099-9660}}

In 2016, it was reported that residents of Port Sudan face water scarcity.{{Cite web |date=2016-06-16 |title=Port Sudan's water shortage worsening - Sudan {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/sudan/port-sudan-s-water-shortage-worsening |access-date=2023-06-20 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-01 |title=Sudan tribal protesters lift port blockade, week after coup |url=https://apnews.com/article/business-africa-middle-east-omar-al-bashir-khartoum-fe549ecba7f1afb3453a0218242b12b3 |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Milton |first=Immanual John |date=2023-06-20 |title=CityLab Daily: Port Sudan Becomes Haven for Refugees Fleeing War |language=en |work=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-06-20/citylab-daily-port-sudan-becomes-haven-for-refugees-fleeing-sudan-s-war |access-date=2023-06-20}}{{Cite web |last=Jamal |first=Urooba |date=2023-05-03 |title=Port Sudan, a Red Sea refuge for many fleeing Sudan's violence |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/longform/2023/5/3/port-sudan-a-red-sea-refuge-for-many-fleeing-sudans-violence |access-date=2023-06-22 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} Internally-displaced refugees in the city reportedly face extreme heat and shortages of food and water.{{Citation |title=VOA60 Africa - Displaced Sudanese in Port Sudan suffer from extreme heat, food and water shortages |date=2023-05-15 |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/voa60-africa---displaced-sudanese-in-port-sudan-suffer-from-extreme-heat-food-and-water-shortages/7094206.html |access-date=2023-06-20 |language=en}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Eltahir |first=Nafisa |date=26 October 2023 |title=Paramilitary RSF say they have seized Sudan's second city |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/paramilitary-rsf-say-they-have-seized-sudans-second-city-2023-10-26/ |access-date=28 October 2023}} 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.{{Cite news |title=Sudan talks resume as 'Libya scenario' looms large |language=en |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sudan-libya-crisis-talks-resume-split-looms-large |access-date=2023-10-29}} Port Sudan has been described as becoming a "de facto" capital of Sudan.{{Cite news |date=19 October 2023 |title=After six months of civil war, little remains of Khartoum |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2023/10/19/after-six-months-of-civil-war-little-remains-of-khartoum#:~:text=Mr%2520Burhan%252C%2520who%2520fled%2520from,the%2520capital's%2520population%2520has%2520fled. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229011039/https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2023/10/19/after-six-months-of-civil-war-little-remains-of-khartoum |archive-date=29 February 2024 |access-date=29 October 2023 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}{{Cite web |title=The SAF-RSF Conflict and its Consequences on Eastern Sudan |url=https://epc.ae/en/details/scenario/the-saf-rsf-conflict-and-its-consequences-on-eastern-sudan#:~:text=From%2520a%2520political%2520standpoint%252C%2520the,its%2520location%2520and%2520logistical%2520capabilities. |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=epc.ae |language=en}}

On 11 January 2025, celebrations took place through the city after the Sudanese army recaptured Wad Madani.{{cite web |title=People in Sudan's de facto capital Port Sudan, which hosts the army-aligned government, take to the streets to celebrate the reported advance of Sudanese military forces and allied armed groups on the key Al-Jazira state capital, Wad Madani |url=https://www.islandernews.com/news/national/people-in-sudans-de-facto-capital-port-sudan-which-hosts-the-army-aligned-government-take/image_d979a502-ec3e-5720-bf6a-791c6c7ac218.html |website=IslanderNews.com {{!}} Locally Owned & Operated |language=en |date=11 January 2025}}{{cite web |title=Sudan army says enters key paramilitary-held Al-Jazira state capital |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/sudan-army-says-enters-key-150030034.html |website=Yahoo News |language=en-SG |date=11 January 2025}}{{cite web |title=Sudan army says its forces enter Wad Madani in push to retake city from RSF |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/11/sudan-army-says-its-forces-enter-wad-madani-in-push-to-retake-city-from-rsf |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} Iran and Russia have been trying to negotiate with Sudan to build a naval base in the city.{{cite web |title=Sudan rejects Iranian offer for Red Sea naval presence in exchange for military support |url=https://sudantribune.com/article288335/ |website=Sudan Tribune |date=16 July 2024}}{{cite web |title=Sudan-Russia deal: Final agreement reached over Red Sea naval base, says Sudan |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c30del8dz51o |website=www.bbc.com |date=13 February 2025}}

File:Portsudan fish restaurant 2.jpg

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.

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.{{Cite web |url=https://thediplomat.com/2015/01/chinas-maritime-silk-road-dont-forget-africa/ |title=China's 'Maritime Silk Road': Don't Forget Africa |work=thediplomat.com}}See also: Harry G. Broadman "Afrika´s Silk Road" (2007).{{Cite web |url=https://africacenter.org/spotlight/implications-for-africa-china-one-belt-one-road-strategy/ |title=Implications for Africa from China's One Belt One Road Strategy |work=africacenter.org}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.business.hsbc.ae/en-gb/ae/article/chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-beacons-new-trade-in-menat |title=China's Belt and Road Initiative beacons new trade in MENAT |work=www.business.hsbc.ae}}

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 1067mm gauge rail link with Khartoum. There is also an international ferry from Jeddah.{{citation needed|date = October 2020}}

In 2023 a new seaport was proposed about 200km north of Port Sudan at Abu Amama.{{Cite news |last= |date=2022-12-13 |title=Sudan to develop Red Sea port in $6-bln initial pact with Emirati group |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/sudan-signs-6-bln-agreement-with-emirati-consortium-develop-red-sea-port-2022-12-13/ |access-date=2023-07-11}} 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.

File:PortSudan University.jpg campus]]

The city is home to the Red Sea University, established in 1994.{{cite web

|url = http://africa.isp.msu.edu/AUP/instinfo.htm?id=1216

|title = Red Sea University

|publisher = African Studies Center

|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

}}

File:Minaret S.jpg

Places of worship are predominantly Muslim mosques,Britannica,

[https://www.britannica.com/place/Sudan 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.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

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 {{convert|30|C|F}} in winter and {{convert|45|C|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 {{convert|182|mm|in|1}}, whilst the wettest year was from July 1923 to June 1924 with {{convert|231|mm|in|1}}. Average annual rainfall is {{convert|76|mm|in}}, and no rainfall occurred between January 1983 and June 1984.{{Cite web |url=http://climexp.knmi.nl//data/pa62641.dat |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222172623/http://climexp.knmi.nl//data/pa62641.dat |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-02-22 |title=Monthly Rainfall for Port Sudan (#62641) |work=climexp.knmi.nl}} The mean temperature year round (the average of all daily highs and nighttime lows) is {{convert|28.4|C|F}}.

{{Weather box

|location = Port Sudan, Sudan (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1906–present)

|metric first = yes

|single line = yes

| 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 high C = 27.3

| Feb high C = 27.8

| Mar high C = 29.7

| Apr high C = 32.9

| May high C = 37.0

| Jun high C = 40.2

| Jul high C = 42.7

| Aug high C = 42.7

| Sep high C = 39.5

| Oct high C = 34.9

| Nov high C = 31.4

| Dec high C = 28.7

| year high C = 34.6

| Jan mean C = 23.5

| Feb mean C = 23.5

| Mar mean C = 24.7

| Apr mean C = 27.5

| May mean C = 31.0

| Jun mean C = 33.7

| Jul mean C = 36.2

| Aug mean C = 36.6

| Sep mean C = 33.6

| Oct mean C = 30.2

| Nov mean C = 27.7

| Dec mean C = 25.1

| year mean C = 29.4

| Jan low C = 19.8

| Feb low C = 19.2

| Mar low C = 19.7

| Apr low C = 22.1

| May low C = 24.9

| Jun low C = 27.2

| Jul low C = 29.6

| Aug low C = 30.5

| Sep low C = 27.8

| Oct low C = 25.5

| Nov low C = 23.9

| Dec low C = 21.5

| year low C = 24.3

| 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

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm = 2.3

| Feb precipitation mm = 0.1

| Mar precipitation mm = 0.1

| Apr precipitation mm = 8.8

| May precipitation mm = 1.0

| Jun precipitation mm = 0.9

| Jul precipitation mm = 3.8

| Aug precipitation mm = 2.3

| Sep precipitation mm = 0.0

| Oct precipitation mm = 17.9

| Nov precipitation mm = 24.6

| Dec precipitation mm = 18.8

| year precipitation mm = 80.6

| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

| Jan precipitation days = 0.3

| Feb precipitation days = 0.0

| Mar precipitation days = 0.0

| Apr precipitation days = 0.4

| May precipitation days = 0.3

| Jun precipitation days = 0.1

| Jul precipitation days = 0.7

| Aug precipitation days = 0.4

| Sep precipitation days = 0.0

| Oct precipitation days = 1.3

| Nov precipitation days = 2.3

| Dec precipitation days = 1.3

| year precipitation days = 7.1

| Jan humidity = 64

| Feb humidity = 65

| Mar humidity = 63

| Apr humidity = 58

| May humidity = 46

| Jun humidity = 37

| Jul humidity = 38

| Aug humidity = 40

| Sep humidity = 50

| Oct humidity = 65

| Nov humidity = 68

| Dec humidity = 67

| year humidity = 55

| Jan sun = 195.3

| Feb sun = 204.4

| Mar sun = 266.6

| Apr sun = 291.0

| May sun = 310.0

| Jun sun = 264.0

| Jul sun = 229.4

| Aug sun = 223.2

| Sep sun = 264.0

| Oct sun = 279.0

| Nov sun = 228.0

| Dec sun = 182.9

| year sun = 2937.8

|source 1 = NOAA{{cite web

|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Sudan/CSV/Port-Sudan_62641.csv

|title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Port Sudan

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = January 22, 2024}}{{cite web

| url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-I/SU/62641.TXT

| title = Port Sudan Climate Normals 1961–1990

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = January 24, 2015}}

|source 2 = Meteo Climat (record highs and lows)

{{cite web

| url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=1841

| title = Station Port Soudan

| publisher = Meteo Climat

|language = fr

| access-date = 22 October 2016}}

|date=August 2010

}}

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

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.

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

• Suakin

{{Reflist}}

• Arckell, A. J., UNESCO General History of Africa, History of Darfur 1200-1700 A.D. SNR.
• Encyclopædia Britannica, "Port Sudan" (description), 2007, webpage: [https://archive.today/20070624083706/http://p2.www.britannica.com/eb/topic-422997/Port_Sudan EB-PortSudan].{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• {{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

|chapter= Port Sudan

}}

• {{Commons category-inline}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Populated coastal places in Sudan

Category:Populated places in Red Sea State

Category:Port cities and towns in Sudan

Category:Underwater diving sites of Sudan

Category:Port cities and towns of the Red Sea

Category:Populated places established in 1905

Category:State capitals in Sudan

Category:1905 establishments in the British Empire

Category:1905 establishments in Africa

Category:Ports and harbours of Sudan