Sudan's state shipping company is in talks with China and the US over the financing of a fleet renewal.
Sudan Shipping Line has shrunk to owning just one ropax, the 1,098-passenger Dahab (built 1987), that has been out of service for two years.
Now the shipowner is considering an offer from Chinese shipping giant China Cosco Shipping to expand the fleet and boost exports to revive the economy.
The line is also talking to the Export-Import Bank of the United States and other potential foreign investors over financing, according to Sudan Shipping Line chairman Abdul-Azim Hasab Al-Rasol.
He told Bloomberg that restoring the company will be a "long and difficult process", however
The country relies on other lines to deliver vital fuel, wheat and fertiliser supplies to its Red Sea ports.
Money-saving scheme
"Our national shipping carrier can help the country save a lot of hard currency if we give it exclusive rights to transport all exports and imports," Al-Rasol said.
Sudan Shipping Line’s short-term plan is to lease ships and purchase them in five to 10 years.
Classification society Lloyd's Register is conducting a study on how the line can re-establish a full fleet, Al-Rosal added.
Sudan Shipping Line was founded 60 years ago and was briefly a joint venture with the government of the former Yugoslavia.
China has made major investments in Africa as part of the Belt and Road ports and shipping scheme in recent years.
China Cosco has not commented.
New era for Sudan
Sudan is targeting a big reboot of its infrastructure and transport sector after the 2019 coup that removed long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir.
In 2020, the US lifted its designation of Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism. This had lasted nearly 30 years.
The country's gross domestic product (GDP) is set to grow 0.4% in 2021, according to the International Monetary Fund.
Exports climbed almost 70% to reach $2.53bn in the first half of the year, according to data from the country's central bank.
However, the country lost three-quarters of its oil reserves with the 2011 secession of South Sudan.
Al-Rasol did not say whether the company would seek to export its landlocked southern neighbour's oil.
China is also considering investing in Sudan's ports.
China Harbour Engineering Co is vying with Dubai's DP World to manage and develop facilities.
