Logistics services in Sudan.

Sudan logistics overview: modes, trade and gateways

Logistics services in Sudan use sea, air, rail and road to move cargo. Most international freight moves through Port Sudan and Sawakin Harbor, supported by Al Khair and Beshayer oil terminals.

Container throughput is about 320,000 TEU per year, with an LSCI score of 8.38. Sudan has about 7,251 km of railway and borders seven countries, giving options for cross-border road and rail haulage. Air freight uses a network of 45 airports, including several with scheduled international services.

Freight forwarders in Sudan should be comfortable routing cargo through Port Sudan and Sawakin Harbor and coordinating with Al Khair and Beshayer oil terminals when relevant. A forwarder familiar with Sudan’s LPI customs score of 2.1 and logistics performance of 2.4 can better manage expectations on clearance and handling.

Check their experience with trade to the UAE, China, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Egypt, India and COMESA markets, as these are main export and import partners. Cooperation with shipping lines that have offices in Khartoum and Port Sudan, such as CMA CGM, PIL, COSCO, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC, Maersk, OOCL and X-Press Feeders, can help when arranging space and resolving port issues.

FCL and LCL shipping from and to Sudan is centered on Port Sudan and Sawakin Harbor. Port Sudan is a medium-sized port with cargo pier depth around 16 m and rail connection, while Sawakin Harbor is smaller with about 12 m depth and no rail.

Sudan handles about 320,000 TEU per year and has an LSCI of 8.38. Major container lines with offices in Sudan or Port Sudan include CMA CGM, PIL, COSCO, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC, Maersk, OOCL and X-Press Feeders. These carriers support both full container loads and consolidation options depending on service offerings.

Air freight in Sudan uses seven airports with scheduled services, including Khartoum International Airport, Port Sudan New International Airport, Dongola, El Fasher and El-Obeid. Total air cargo traffic is about 20 million tonne-km.

Air can be suitable for higher-value exports such as gold or urgent imports like packaged medicine and garments, where transit time matters more than volume. The network of 45 airports allows domestic distribution after international arrival.

Rail and road freight in Sudan relies on a railway network of about 7,251 km and extensive land borders. Rail freight traffic has been recorded at about 33.9 million tonne-km.

The country borders the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya and South Sudan, so road freight is central for regional trade flows and access to neighbors. Port Sudan is rail-connected, linking seaborne cargo with inland road and rail distribution.

Customs clearance in Sudan operates in a context where the country has been a member of the World Customs Organization since 1960. Sudan is not in the WTO and participates in COMESA and the African Union.

The LPI customs score is 2.1 compared with a world median of 2.6, suggesting more time and variability at the border. Reported lead times are about 11 days for exports and 12 days for imports. Shippers should ensure accurate commercial invoices, packing lists and transport documents to reduce delays at ports and airports.