China, Sudan sign $79 mln contract to deepen Port Sudan harbour
June 9, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese Ministry of Transport and Roads has signed a contract with the Chinese Engineering Works Company to rehabilitate Port-Sudan shipping channels at a cost of 79 million Dollars.
The Minister of Transport, Roads and Bridges Eng. Akual Nyang signed for Sudan, while the Director General of the Chinese company signed for the company, and in the presence of the Chinese Ambassador to Sudan.
Addressing the signing ceremony Thursday, the minister said that the Sudanese Sea Ports Corporation has decided to deepen the seas ports to receive ships that weigh over five tones, pointing out that the Chinese company would expand and deepen Port-Sudan harbor according to the agreement it signed with the ministry.
He praised the performance of the Chinese company, saying that it has great experience in deepening seas ports and that it is now deepening Sawakin harbor and about to complete its work there.
The Chinese Ambassador, on his part, praised the Sino-Sudanese relations in all fields, explaining that his country is looking forward further cooperation with Sudan, particularly in the economic and development fields.
He praised the progressive development Sudan has witnessed in the past years, saying that they are proud of this development, particularly with regard to the realization of peace in the country.
Director General of the Sudanese Sea Ports Corporation Eng. Hamza Al-Fadlabi, addressing the ceremony, said the agreement with the Chinese company tends to establish the platform of the containers to a length of 70 meters, and deepen it to a depth of 70 meters.
He said the work would start immediately following the signing of the agreement and lasts in 30 months. He said the deepening of the port would solve the problem of the big containers.
(ST)