APL to resume operations in Sudan

Apr 26, 2017: US international shipping company American President Lines (APL) has announced plans to resume operations after 20 years through Sudan’s coastal port of Port Sudan, break, local newspapers recent report.

The announcement was welcomed by Al Hadi Mahmoud Abdul Qaadir, chairman of the board and general manager of Container Management Agency (CMA) who described the development as a “qualitative” leap in the fortunes of Sudan’s shipping industry.

APL provides shipping and global transportation services and is expected to begin operation in the first week in May from its Singapore port. It follows the temporary lifting of international sanctions against Sudan which is expected to be ratified by the US administration in June this year.

According to media reports, Abdul Qaadir, also confirmed that the lifting of sanction would now lead to an increase in maritime traffic through the Red Sea of up to 500 containers per week

Analysts say Sudan’s location will mean that goods heading for Europe will now have an easier passage and supplies intended for the Gulf area will be off-loaded and transferred from Port Sudan. Sudan’s domestic economy is also set to benefit from the shipments which analyst say will help provide openings for direct foreign investment.