Sea Ports: No Move Toward Privatization; Work Underway to Establish Abu Omama Port by 2027
Chairman of the Higher Committee for the International Conference on Seaports, Hassan Jaafar, has settled the ongoing debate over the future of Sudan’s ports, categorically stating that there is no move toward privatizing them. At the same time, he revealed that advanced steps are underway to establish a new port in the Abu Omama area by the end of 2027.
Jaafar, who also serves as Deputy Director of the Sea Ports Corporation (SPC), said during a conference held by the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) that attempts by some parties to push for privatization had been firmly rejected at the highest levels of the state.
He stressed that the partnerships proposed at the international conference remain proposals subject to carefully considered and responsible decisions that safeguard the rights of the country and the Corporation.
The Chairman of the Higher Committee noted that the upcoming international conference will focus on four key areas: modernizing cargo-handling procedures from ship to berth; addressing infrastructure challenges; developing supply chains and trade flows to facilitate exports and imports; and reviewing the laws and legislation governing port operations.
Jaafar also revealed a serious move to transform the Sea Ports Corporation into the “National Maritime Authority” to officially represent the state once the relevant study is approved.
Jaafar reassured the workforce that there were no concerns about layoffs, stressing that cargo handling and shipping operations rely primarily on human labor, while full automation still requires major studies and substantial budgets that have not yet been initiated.