SD Prefix and Three-Character Location Code
A Sudan UN/LOCODE begins with SD, followed by three characters identifying the location. Examples in the indexed sample include SDPSU, SDPZU, SDSUA, SDKRT and SDSWA.
Seaports in Sudan: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Sudan has 5 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, with Port Sudan serving as the country’s principal Red Sea gateway for international maritime trade.
Review Sudan port codes, regional cargo roles, indicative trade lanes and current data notes for 2026 planning.
Sudan Port Overview
Sudan’s ocean-facing logistics network is concentrated on the Red Sea coast. Port Sudan is the principal maritime gateway, while Suakin and Swakin appear as separate entries in the Ecer Freight port index; Khartoum represents an inland logistics location rather than an ocean container gateway.
5
Sudan ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
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Port cargo throughput, 2025; YoY not publicly reported in a comparable series
SPC 2025
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Container throughput, 2025; YoY not publicly reported in a comparable series
SPC 2025
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Commercial berth count, 2025; YoY not publicly reported in a comparable series
SPC 2025
How many seaports does Sudan have?
Sudan has 5 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its Nov 2026 country database snapshot.
What is Sudan’s main seaport?
Port Sudan is Sudan’s principal maritime gateway and is represented in the index by Port Sudan codes SDPSU and SDPZU.
Which region handles most of Sudan’s maritime cargo?
Sudan’s international maritime cargo is concentrated on the Red Sea coast, especially around Port Sudan (SDPSU), with Suakin (SDSUA) and Swakin (SDSWA) also indexed in the coastal cluster.
Top Ports in Sudan
The table below covers the five Sudan port and terminal records available in the Ecer Freight database. A comparable public 2025 container league table is not available for these records, so rank, throughput and year-on-year fields are not assigned.
Sudan port and terminal records, database snapshot Nov 2026
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Port Sudan | SDPZU | — | — | Red Sea coast |
| — | Port Sudan | SDPSU | — | — | Red Sea coast |
| — | Suakin | SDSUA | — | — | Red Sea coast |
| — | Khartoum | SDKRT | — | — | Inland Nile corridor |
| — | Swakin | SDSWA | — | — | Red Sea coast |
Sudan Port Regions and Cargo Roles
Sudan’s indexed locations divide into a concentrated Red Sea maritime cluster and an inland logistics location. Port names and codes below follow the Ecer Freight database sample exactly.
Red Sea Maritime Cluster
The Red Sea cluster provides Sudan’s principal connection to regional and long-haul ocean services, subject to carrier schedules and operational conditions.
Ports and terminals on the Red Sea coast
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Sudan | SDPZU | Port Sudan / — | Ocean gateway and general cargo handling |
| Port Sudan | SDPSU | Port Sudan / — | Principal maritime gateway and container logistics |
| Suakin | SDSUA | Suakin / — | Coastal cargo and regional logistics role |
| Swakin | SDSWA | Swakin / — | Indexed coastal port location |
Inland Nile Logistics Corridor
Khartoum is an inland logistics location in the indexed sample. It should not be treated as a conventional ocean seaport when planning a Sudan sea-freight booking.
Inland logistics location
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khartoum | SDKRT | Khartoum / — | Inland distribution and cargo consolidation location |
Sudan Port Codes and UN-LOCODEs
UN/LOCODEs identify transport locations using a two-letter country prefix and a three-character location code. Sudan entries in this guide use the SD prefix.
City-Level and Terminal-Level Codes
A city-level code and a terminal or facility-level record may appear as separate entries. Port Sudan is therefore shown under both SDPSU and SDPZU in the database sample; booking documents should use the code confirmed by the carrier or terminal.
How to Verify a Sudan Port Code
Compare the code in shipping instructions with the official UNECE UN/LOCODE reference and the Ecer Freight port directory before issuing transport documents.
Shipping from Sudan: Main Trade Lanes
Sudan sea-freight routings generally connect the Red Sea gateway with Arabian Gulf, Red Sea and Mediterranean hub networks. Transit times are indicative only and depend on transshipment, vessel schedules, customs clearance and operating conditions.
Sudan to Saudi Arabia
A short regional Red Sea lane for containerized cargo, project shipments and general merchandise.
Sudan to the United Arab Emirates
Gulf services commonly support import distribution, re-export cargo and onward connections through major hub ports.
Sudan to South Asia
South Asian routings may use direct regional calls or transshipment through Red Sea and Gulf hubs.
Sudan to Europe
Europe-bound cargo generally requires a scheduled service or transshipment connection via a Red Sea or Mediterranean hub.
Sources and Data Methodology
The page separates first-party indexed coverage from publicly reported national and international statistics. Maritime schedules, port availability and transit times remain subject to confirmation at booking.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party database snapshot from Nov 2026, containing 5 Sudan port and terminal records.
- UNECE — UN/LOCODE structure and location-code reference framework.
- UN Trade and Development — international maritime transport and port-statistics context.
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — navigational and maritime reference context for port identification.
- World Bank — global logistics and trade-data context used for comparative interpretation.
Sudan Port FAQ
How many seaports does Sudan have?
Sudan has 5 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the Nov 2026 database snapshot.
What is the largest or busiest port in Sudan?
Port Sudan is generally regarded as Sudan’s principal and busiest maritime gateway. The Ecer Freight sample includes Port Sudan under SDPSU and SDPZU, but a comparable public 2025 TEU ranking is not assigned here.
What are the main Sudan port codes?
The indexed Sudan codes are SDPZU, SDPSU, SDSUA, SDKRT and SDSWA. Carrier and terminal documentation should confirm the correct code for each shipment.
Which regions handle Sudan’s sea cargo?
Sudan’s sea cargo is concentrated along the Red Sea coast around Port Sudan, with Suakin and Swakin also indexed as coastal locations. Khartoum is an inland logistics location.
How current is the Sudan port data?
The first-party port index snapshot is from Nov 2026. Public throughput, berth and schedule information may use different reporting periods and should be checked against the latest available authority or carrier confirmation.
Can freight rates be requested from Sudan ports?
Yes. FCL and LCL quotations can be requested using the relevant Ecer Freight rate-search pages. Final pricing depends on cargo details, equipment, routing, transshipment, destination and operational conditions.
Should Khartoum be used as an ocean port code?
Khartoum (SDKRT) is listed as an inland logistics location in the sample and should not automatically be used as an ocean port. The carrier or local logistics provider should confirm the appropriate seaport and inland routing.
Editorial note: Port names, codes and indexed coverage are based on the Ecer Freight database snapshot from Nov 2026. Public statistics are cited by source and reporting year where available; Sudan-specific throughput, TEU and berth figures may not be published in a consistent comparable series. Port operations, schedules and transit times should be reconfirmed before shipment planning.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Sudan: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact