Port Sudan
Port Sudan (Template:Langx, Beja: Template:Lang) is a major 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.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref> The population of Port Sudan was estimated in the 2008 Census of Sudan to be 394,561 people.<ref name="City population">Template:Cite web</ref>
Port Sudan has historically been a centre for commercial activity, particularly in the shipping industry.<ref name=":2" />
Due to the civil war in the country that started in 2023, the Sudanese government has largely been operating from Port Sudan as a result of intense fighting in the capital city Khartoum from April 2023 to May 2025, 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.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The plan was ultimately suspended, though Sudanese leadership has indicated that it is possible for the construction to go ahead in the future.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2016, it was reported that residents of Port Sudan face water scarcity.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Internally-displaced refugees in the city reportedly face extreme heat and shortages of food and water.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Port Sudan has been described as becoming a "de facto" capital of Sudan.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Iran and Russia have been trying to negotiate with Sudan to build a naval base in the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A day later, another RSF drone attack occurred targeting fuel depots, leading to a fire. Some Arab nations condemned the actions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Economy
The city has an oil refinery and handles 90% of the country's international trade.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> 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.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>See also: Harry G. Broadman "Afrika´s Silk Road" (2007).</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.Template:Citation needed
In 2023 a new seaport was proposed about 200km north of Port Sudan at Abu Amama.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.
Education
The city is home to the Red Sea University, established in 1994.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Places of worship
Places of worship are predominantly Muslim mosques,<ref>Britannica, Sudan, britannica.com, USA, accessed on July 7, 2019</ref> 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.Template:Citation needed
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 Template:Convert in winter and Template:Convert 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 Template:Convert, whilst the wettest year was from July 1923 to June 1924 with Template:Convert. Average annual rainfall is Template:Convert, and no rainfall occurred between January 1983 and June 1984.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The mean temperature year round (the average of all daily highs and nighttime lows) is Template:Convert.
Demographics
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1906<ref>Template:Cite EB1911</ref> | 4,289 |
| 1941 | 26,255 |
| 1973 | 132,632 |
| 1983 | 209,938 |
| 1993 | 305,385 |
| 2007 (Template:Abbr) | 489,275 |
| 2008 (Template:Abbr) | 517,338 |
The population consists mainly of Sudanese Arabs, including the native Beja people, with small Asian and European minorities.<ref name=":0"/>
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)
See also
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.Template:Dead link
- Template:Citation
External links
- Pages with broken file links
- Port Sudan
- Populated coastal places in Sudan
- Populated places in Red Sea State
- Port cities and towns in Sudan
- Underwater diving sites of Sudan
- Port cities and towns of the Red Sea
- Populated places established in 1905
- State capitals in Sudan
- 1905 establishments in the British Empire
- 1905 establishments in Africa
- Ports and harbours of Sudan