The Red Sea is central to Sudan and Saudi Arabia’s maritime boundary preparations and Egypt’s shipping interests.
Sudan is preparing technical groundwork for a maritime boundary with Saudi Arabia.
The move could affect Egypt’s existing Red Sea claims, offshore resources and wider economic interests.
However, the preparations do not mean Sudan and Saudi Arabia have reached a final boundary agreement.
Sudan’s maritime records at the United Nations currently list no maritime boundary agreement.
Sudan Begins Maritime Boundary Preparations
Sudanese authorities are reviewing historical maps and border documents as they develop their position on the Red Sea boundary.
A technical committee involving border officials and the navy is expected to examine the records.
The process could eventually produce a proposed delimitation plan.
However, that would only establish Sudan’s position and would not settle the boundary.
Sudan and Saudi Arabia have also expanded cooperation through their wider strategic coordination framework.
Egypt’s Claims Could Complicate the Process
Egypt already has a maritime agreement with Saudi Arabia.
The two countries signed the agreement in April 2016, and it entered into force in July 2017 after registration with the United Nations.
Sudan objected to the agreement and linked its concerns to the disputed Halayeb area and related maritime boundaries.
Egypt rejected Sudan’s objections and maintained its sovereignty claims over territory north of the 22nd parallel.
Therefore, any future Sudan-Saudi boundary proposal could intersect with the long-running Egypt-Sudan dispute.
Red Sea Minerals Add Economic Stakes
The boundary issue also carries potential economic implications.
The central Red Sea contains mineral deposits, including zinc, copper, silver and gold, around the Atlantis II Deep.
Sudan and Saudi Arabia previously agreed on arrangements covering resource exploitation in the Red Sea.
Consequently, clearer maritime boundaries could influence future offshore investment and resource development.
Shipping Adds Strategic Pressure
Meanwhile, instability across the Red Sea continues to affect regional shipping.
Egypt relies heavily on the Suez Canal, while Sudan and Saudi Arabia share strategic interests along the Red Sea.
Therefore, maritime security, territorial claims and offshore resources could increasingly overlap.
For now, Sudan’s preparations remain an institutional and technical process.
The eventual proposal, however, could determine whether the issue remains a bilateral matter with Saudi Arabia or develops into a wider three-country maritime dispute involving Egypt.
