Sudan, Turkey sign twinning agreement for Port Sudan, Mersin ports
December 23, 2025 (MERSIN, Turkey) – Sudan and Turkey reached a twinning agreement between Port Sudan and Mersin ports on Tuesday, a move set to increase cooperation and maritime trade between the two countries.
The Turkish Ambassador to Sudan, Fatih Yildiz, had previously expressed his country’s desire to pursue investment partnerships with Sudanese ports and to establish a twinning arrangement during a March 25 meeting with the director of the Sea Ports Corporation (SPC), Geilani Mohamed.
The governor of the Red Sea State, Mustafa Mohamed Nour, and the director of the SPC, Geilani Mohamed Geilani, are currently visiting the Turkish province of Mersin.
The Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed during the visit to twin the ports of Port Sudan and Mersin.
The agency said the memorandum aims to enhance cooperation in technical fields related to port development and to improve operational and logistical efficiency. This will be achieved through the exchange of expertise, the implementation of specialized training programs and the transfer of modern technology related to port management and operations.
The MoU also opens the door to developing commercial and industrial projects and to strengthening partnerships between the two sides, contributing to trade exchanges and improving the trade balance between Sudan and Turkey.
Yildiz said in a post on the X platform that Port Sudan and Mersin had become twin ports under the memorandum of understanding signed today.
“In this way, we are opening the way to enhancing cooperation and increasing maritime trade between the two ports,” he added.
Port Sudan, which includes sub-ports such as the South Port for container operations, the North Port for importing goods, and Bashayer for exporting South Sudanese oil, requires comprehensive rehabilitation to enable it to receive large vessels.
Port workers, most of whom come from East Sudan communities, have historically opposed modernization attempts at the facility for fear of job losses.