port infrastructure

Shipping Arabia, October 13, 2026 – Yemen’s Minister of Transport, Mohsen Haidara Al-Omari, reviewed Mukalla Port development projects, operational readiness and maritime safety measures during a meeting with senior officials from the Yemen Arabian Sea Ports Corporation (YASPC) and the Maritime Affairs Authority. The meeting, held at the Ministry of Transport headquarters in Aden, also included the signing of tender documents for several development and rehabilitation projects at the Port of Mukalla.

The discussions focused on the operational performance of both organizations, progress in development programs and the requirements for improving port infrastructure and maritime services. Officials also reviewed measures to strengthen operational preparedness and maintain safe navigation amid ongoing regional security challenges.

Mukalla Port Development Projects and Infrastructure Improvements

The meeting examined the progress of Mukalla Port development projects and rehabilitation activities undertaken by the Yemen Arabian Sea Ports Corporation. Discussions addressed the corporation’s operational performance, current development programs and infrastructure requirements across its affiliated ports.

Al-Omari emphasized the importance of improving institutional performance and accelerating the completion of procedures related to port development and rehabilitation projects. He called for greater efforts to improve service quality, strengthen infrastructure efficiency and raise operational readiness.

The minister also highlighted the need to ensure that development activities support the continuity and efficiency of port operations.

Fouad Al-Rabaki, Vice Chairman of YASPC, briefed the minister on the corporation’s activities and the operational status of its affiliated ports. His presentation covered measures implemented at Mukalla Port, progress on ongoing projects and the principal requirements for sustaining and improving maritime and port operations.

The discussions also addressed the practical needs of the corporation and its ports, particularly those related to improving operational capabilities and maintaining service efficiency.

Maritime Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Maritime safety and emergency preparedness formed another major part of the meeting. Al-Omari directed the leadership of YASPC and the Maritime Affairs Authority to strengthen precautionary measures across the ports under their responsibility.

The minister stressed the importance of maintaining heightened operational vigilance and activating emergency committees to address potential risks and developments.

He also called for stronger maritime safety procedures in response to security concerns arising from continued Houthi escalation. These measures aim to improve the preparedness of port and maritime authorities to respond to potential threats affecting their operations.

The meeting reviewed the activities of the Maritime Affairs Authority’s Mukalla branch, including its supervisory responsibilities and measures to strengthen maritime safety.

Dr. Nabil Bin Aifan, Director General of the authority’s Mukalla branch, presented an overview of its operational activities and responsibilities. He outlined the procedures implemented to enhance maritime oversight, improve safety measures and strengthen readiness within the branch’s jurisdiction.

Coordination Between Port and Maritime Authorities

The meeting brought together senior officials responsible for Yemen’s maritime and port sectors, reflecting the Ministry of Transport’s focus on coordinating infrastructure development, operational performance and maritime safety.

Participants included Captain Ali Al-Subahi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport for Maritime Affairs and Ports; Fouad Al-Rabaki, Vice Chairman of YASPC; and Dr. Nabil Bin Aifan, Director General of the Maritime Affairs Authority’s Mukalla branch.

Dr. Mohammed Jameel, Director General of the Minister’s Office, and Engineer Abbas Bafadel, Director of the Projects Department at YASPC, also attended.

The discussions addressed the need for continued coordination between the ministry, port management and maritime regulatory authorities to advance infrastructure improvements and strengthen preparedness.

The review of Mukalla Port development projects, alongside measures to improve maritime supervision and emergency response, reflects the ministry’s priorities for enhancing port services, maintaining operational continuity and strengthening maritime safety across Yemen’s Arabian Sea ports.

Source: Yemen Arabian Sea Ports Corporation

Shipping Arabia, October 9, 2026 – Syria is advancing Latakia Port infrastructure upgrades and operational improvements aimed at strengthening cargo-handling capabilities, accelerating cargo movements and simplifying administrative procedures. The ongoing rehabilitation program includes new port equipment, improvements to operational facilities and measures to facilitate trade-related transactions.

Tamim Sawaghi, Deputy Head of the General Authority for Borders and Customs for Port Affairs, conducted an inspection visit to Latakia Port to review ongoing development projects and assess operational performance.

The visit focused on infrastructure rehabilitation, cargo movement efficiency and procedures designed to improve services for traders and transport operators. Officials also reviewed measures to facilitate cargo reception, unloading and transportation within the port.

Latakia Port Infrastructure Upgrades and Cargo-Handling Equipment

During the inspection, Latakia Port Director Abdul Hamid Al-Wahb briefed Sawaghi on the rehabilitation and equipment modernization activities currently underway.

The projects include upgrading port infrastructure and introducing new machinery to support cargo-handling operations. These improvements aim to strengthen the port’s operational capacity and increase the efficiency of cargo reception, unloading and transportation.

The addition of handling equipment forms part of efforts to improve service quality and facilitate cargo movements through the port. The rehabilitation work also addresses the operational requirements of port facilities and cargo-handling areas.

Officials reviewed the organization of cargo yards and other port facilities during the visit. This assessment focused on maintaining orderly operations and improving the movement of goods through different sections of the port.

The General Authority for Borders and Customs is overseeing these improvements as part of its efforts to develop the performance of Syria’s maritime ports.

One-Stop Service System Aims to Accelerate Port Procedures

Administrative efficiency represents another important component of the operational improvements at Latakia Port.

During the inspection, Sawaghi reviewed the port’s one-stop service system and its role in simplifying procedures for traders and transport operators.

The system aims to improve coordination between the departments responsible for processing port-related transactions. By bringing together relevant administrative services, the initiative seeks to reduce processing times and facilitate the completion of required procedures.

Greater coordination between port departments is also intended to improve the flow of transactions associated with cargo movements. These measures complement the infrastructure and equipment improvements currently underway.

The inspection therefore addressed both the physical handling of cargo and the administrative processes that support commercial operations.

Strengthening Syria’s Maritime Port Operations

The inspection visit forms part of the General Authority for Borders and Customs’ ongoing field supervision of maritime port operations and rehabilitation activities.

Through these visits, the authority aims to monitor progress, assess operational requirements and support improvements in the quality of port services.

At Latakia Port, the current development efforts focus on improving cargo-handling efficiency, organizing operational areas and reducing administrative processing times.

Together, these measures are intended to strengthen the port’s ability to accommodate cargo movements and provide more efficient services to shipping-related businesses, traders and transport operators.

The authority emphasized that developing maritime port performance and improving service quality remain important objectives in supporting trade activity and meeting the needs of Syria’s economic sectors.

Source: General Authority for Borders and Customs – Syria

Shipping Arabia, October 4, 2026 – Sudan’s Sea Ports Corporation has ruled out any official move toward Sudan port privatization, while outlining plans to expand strategic partnerships, develop infrastructure and improve operational efficiency across the country’s port sector.

Hassan Jaafar, Deputy Director General of the Sea Ports Corporation and Chairman of the Higher Committee for the International Sudanese Ports Conference, said the state had rejected port privatization at the highest levels. He noted that some parties had previously proposed moving in that direction.

Jaafar said ideas concerning partnerships remain at the proposal stage. Any future move, he added, would be subject to carefully considered decisions by the state and the relevant authorities.

Sudan Port Privatization Ruled Out as Partnerships Remain Under Study

The clarification addresses debate over the future ownership structure of Sudanese ports. Rather than pursuing privatization, the Sea Ports Corporation is focusing on potential strategic partnerships alongside infrastructure development and improvements in operational performance.

Jaafar stressed that proposed partnerships should not be interpreted as an approved change in ownership policy. At this stage, they remain ideas under consideration and would require formal assessment and approval before implementation.

Ports Conference to Address Handling and Infrastructure

Jaafar said the International Sudanese Ports Conference will examine four principal areas linked to the performance and development of the port sector.

One of the main themes will be the modernization of cargo-handling procedures, which he described as central to port operations from a vessel’s arrival through to berthing.

The conference will also examine infrastructure challenges, including the condition and capacity of berths, handling equipment of different sizes, port yards and storage facilities.

Another area of discussion will focus on supply chains and the smooth movement of trade. This is intended to support more efficient import and export operations.

The fourth area will cover the laws and regulations governing the port sector.

Proposal Would Create a National Maritime Authority

Jaafar also revealed that there is a serious proposal to transform the Sea Ports Corporation into a “National Maritime Authority.”

If the related study is approved, the restructured entity would formally represent the state’s maritime authority.

The proposal would therefore change the institutional role of the current corporation, although Jaafar indicated that implementation remains dependent on approval of the study.

Full Port Automation Still Requires Further Study

Addressing concerns about the potential impact of modernization and automation on employment, Jaafar said human resources would continue to play a fundamental role in cargo handling, loading and unloading operations.

He said Sudanese ports have not yet reached the stage of full automation or comprehensive digitalization. Moving toward that level of technology would require specialized studies and substantial budgets.

The Sea Ports Corporation’s current direction therefore combines operational modernization with continued reliance on human resources, while broader plans for partnerships, infrastructure development and institutional reform remain subject to state-level review and approval.

Source: Al Arabiya

Shipping Arabia, October 3, 2026 – Egypt’s Red Sea Ports Authority plans to offer private-sector investment opportunities to develop infrastructure and services at Nuweiba and Sharm El Sheikh ports, with the projects forming part of a development plan targeted for implementation by the end of the current fiscal year.

The planned opportunities include upgrading, rehabilitating and improving passenger terminals at Nuweiba Port. The works form part of a longer-term program to renew and enhance tourism-related facilities under the authority. At Sharm El Sheikh Port, the plans include the implementation of a sewage network as part of the port’s infrastructure development.

Nuweiba Development to Support Aqaba Maritime Route

The planned upgrades at Nuweiba Port are intended to improve the efficiency of passenger terminals while supporting road freight, transit traffic and workforce movements on the Nuweiba–Aqaba maritime route. The authority’s investment approach also seeks to balance infrastructure development with improvements to tourism and logistics services.

According to the source, the wider program is designed to support trade with neighboring countries while strengthening tourism activity across ports operated by the authority. The Nuweiba projects are also expected to create direct and indirect employment opportunities in maritime services, logistics and construction connected with the planned developments.

Sharm El Sheikh Infrastructure Targets Cruise and Yacht Tourism

At Sharm El Sheikh Port, the infrastructure program is aimed at supporting yacht and cruise ship tourism by completing the facilities required for these activities. Modern sewage networks for the port’s terminals and marinas are among the main components identified for development.

The authority is seeking to strengthen environmental sustainability at the port and comply with recognized international port standards. According to government sources cited by Al Borsa News, implementing an approved sewage network is an essential requirement for the port’s inclusion on international cruise itineraries.

The planned infrastructure improvements are also intended to help protect the marine environment and coral reefs around Sharm El Sheikh. At the same time, they would prepare the port to receive more yachts and large cruise ships as its tourism infrastructure develops.

Source: Al Borsa News