Home » United Arab Emirates » Atlantic Express, Port Sudan, 07/09 – 08/09

At long last, after four days of drifting in front of Port Sudan, we are given authorisation to enter the port and start discharging our cargo. We enter the port at night. The city on either side seems extraordinarily quiet: no lights, no cars in the street, the only visible building is the Hilton Hotel near the harbour. I am later told by the agent that it is the only 5 star hotel in the country. It looks quite unremarkable from here.<br/><br/>

Atlantic Express, Port Sudan, 07/09 – 08/09

Degrubenc
2005-12-09 16:42:15

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At long last, after four days of drifting in front of Port Sudan, we are given authorisation to enter the port and start discharging our cargo. We enter the port at night. The city on either side seems extraordinarily quiet: no lights, no cars in the street, the only visible building is the Hilton Hotel near the harbour. I am later told by the agent that it is the only 5 star hotel in the country. It looks quite unremarkable from here.

It takes us a good 2 hours to berth to our allocated pier, number 7. I watch the work - or lack of it - with interest. I count 32 people waiting on the pier. The crew has some difficulties pulling out the gangway to set it up, not one of the 32 people watching would help. As soon as the ship is securely tied, the doctor comes on board with his empty medical bag, only to leave a few minutes later with it filled with cartons of cigarettes. The customs come up next with a large empty suitcase, attempting to take 20 cartons and a few bottles of whiskey from the store rooms. Thankfully, the crew alerts the captain and he comes down to negotiate. They leave with 7 cartons and with a comical martyred look painted on their faces. Once the captain has left, they attempt to get some more alcohol from the crew. We are quick to remind them that Sudan is an Islamic country, where the sale and consumption of alcohol is completely banned.

It takes 3 hours for every single person in the port to make their claim on the captain’s generosity. Most beg for more. It is a pitiful display from the authorities.

I ask the agent for a shore pass, so that I may go in the “city”. The agent pulls faces, “well… it will cost at least 35USD to have the pass but it may take a long time, longer than you will stay here so, maybe, pass not ready in time. If you want pass tomorrow, maybe you pay a little extra, 50USD or maybe 70USD. If you want now, then maybe 100USD” etc… I thank them for their ...