Sudan signs agreement to develop liquefied gas terminal at Suakin Port
Sudan’s Sea Ports Corporation has signed an agreement with Suakin Petroleum to develop a specialised marine berth and strategic liquefied gas storage facilities at Suakin Port, as part of plans to expand the country’s maritime infrastructure and strengthen domestic fuel supply capabilities.
According to the Sudan News Agency (SUNA), the agreement was signed on November 8, 2026, by Gilani Mohammed Gilani, Director General of the Sea Ports Corporation. The project will be developed under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) arrangement, although the announcement did not disclose the investment value, concession duration or construction timetable.
The proposed development includes a dedicated marine berth equipped with modern handling and safety systems, alongside large-capacity storage facilities intended to support the country’s strategic gas reserves. The project also provides for an integrated distribution network using road tankers and rail transport to connect the port with Sudan’s regional markets.
The Sea Ports Corporation said the investment is intended to strengthen domestic supply security while positioning Suakin as a potential regional hub for the distribution and export of liquefied gas to neighbouring African countries.
Port infrastructure and domestic distribution
The agreement includes provisions for developing local capabilities in the manufacturing and preparation of storage facilities, supported by the transfer of technical knowledge to Sudanese personnel. These measures are intended to increase domestic participation in the project and support the development of associated industrial and logistics activities.
Gilani said the partnership forms part of the authority’s broader plans to modernise Sudan’s maritime infrastructure and attract local and foreign investment into port development.
According to SUNA, the project followed an investment proposal submitted by Suakin Petroleum on October 5, 2025. The proposal underwent review by specialised committees before the parties signed a memorandum of understanding and subsequently concluded the final agreement.
The announcement marks a contractual step towards developing dedicated gas-handling infrastructure at Suakin Port. However, the authorities have not confirmed that construction has begun or provided a target date for commercial operations.
The original announcement refers to liquefied gas without clearly identifying the product as liquefied natural gas (LNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The project’s precise technical specifications, storage capacity and vessel-handling requirements therefore remain to be clarified.
