EGYPTIAN PORTS ON THE RED SEA AND THE GULF OF SUEZ

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T00913A000300270001-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 19, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 1, 1980
• Content Type: REPORT

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imagery analysis report
Egyptian Ports on the Red Sea and the Gulf of Suez (S)
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IAN-00625X1
MAY 1980
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EGYPTIAN PORTS ON THE RED SEA AND THE GULF OF SUEZ (S)
SUMMARY
1. (TSR) This report provides information on the ten major E tian ports on the Red Sea and the
Gulf of Suez, derived from all available KEYHOLE imagery A brief 25X1
description of each port is included with the significant naval order of battle and other maritime craft
observed. A location map and an annotated photograph of each port are also included.
2. (TSR) The ports at Bur Safajah, As Suways Adabiyah, Al Ghurdaqah, Mina Baranis, Abu
Ghusun, Al Qusayr, As Suways Ataqah, At Tur, Ras Gharib, and Wadi Hugul (Figure 1) are the
major Egyptian ports on the Red Sea and the Gulf of Suez. These ports are used primarily by
civilian cargo ships and support ships for offshore oil drilling operations. As of early March 1980,
Egyptian naval forces used the ports of Al Ghurdaqah, As Suways Adabiyah, Mina Baranis, and
Bur Safajah. The ports are described in the order of their significance. With the exception of Wadi
Hugul, which was built in 1978, no new major port or port facility has been constructed within the
past three years.
1. Dept of Navy. EFC-2660-035-77, No 144, Monthly Intelligence Digest (MID) (U), Jul 77, p 19 (SECRET/-
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EGYPT
*CAIRO 7
2 `'
10!
08
3b
I{ur S;d:i Lih Port Faci lit ics
\s Su,avs fort Facilities Adahicuh
V1 Ghurduquh Port I ueilities
VI ina 13aranis Port I acilitie.
Vhu C husun fort Facilities
n hi Oust r Port Iacilities
huo:ns PorI I acilitics At iquh
' At I ui Port I uciIitics
't ICus I~Inirih Port I lities
k- Shukhanr
lU Cs tdi Ilut!ul Iruushipment Point
NP!C S-8873
30?00'
FIGURE 1. LOCATIONS OF EGYPTIAN PORTS ON THE RED SEA AND THE GULF OF SUEZ
2-
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(TSR) The Bur Safajah Port Facilities consist of two long quays. One quay is used primarily for
military ships while part of the other has conveyors for cargo vessels unloading alumina at the Bur
Safajah Alumina Receiving and Storage Facility Two small quays-one with a
breasting platform, a small repairway, a covered finger pier with a conveyor system, and a small mole
quayed on three sides with a breasting platform-are also at the port. Five large buildings, several small
buildings, and three open secured areas provide storage. This port, which is the largest on the Red Sea,
is the headquarters for the Egyptian Red Sea Fleet.' A Romeo medium-range submarine (SS), a Ilust-I
patrol escort (PF-'), two OSA-1 guided missile patrol boats (PTGs), two Shershen fast patrol fire support
boats (PTFS), a SMB-I utility landing craft (I.CU), and an Okhtenskiy rescue ocean tug (ATR) were
One passenger ship, five cargo ships, a coastal tanker, six small boats, and
26 lighters were observed.
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(TSR) The As Suways Port Facilities Adabiyah, 8 nautical miles (nm) southwest of As Suways,
consist of a mole with ten rail-mounted cranes, one quay, and a dogleg breakwater. Support/storage
facilities include an administration building, four probable barracks, one probable vehicle maintenance
building, 14 support buildings, and an open storage area. An ammunition storage area northwest of the
port contains 12 revetted storage buildings two Vydra amphibious fire support ships
(LFS), one SMB-l LCU, three P-6 patrol boats (PBs), one T-43 fleet minesweeper (MSF), and one
break-bulk cargo ship were at this port.
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(TSR) The Al Ghurdagah Port Facilities consist of a wall-secured quay, a partially destroyed T-
head pier, and one finger pier. Support facilities include at least five support buildings, a POL storage
area, and an open storage area. Ships observed at this port on 4 March 1980 included a T-43 MSF, a
passenger ship, a support ship for offshore drilling operations, and numerous small fishing boats.
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(TSR) The Mina Baranis Port Facilities, at Ras Banas, consist of a mole quayed on three sides and
connected to land by a wide causeway, a small mole with one large and two small quays, a breasting
platform, and a small pier. Support facilities include at least 20 buildings/sheds and an open storage
area. An SMB-I LCU-sunken off the end of the breasting platform
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(TSR) The Abu Ghusun Port Facilities, at the eastern end of Wadi Abu Ghusun, consist of a
conveyor-served quay and two small support/storage areas separated by a road. The support/storage
area closest to the quay contains one large and three small POL storage tanks, three vehicle repair/-
maintenance shops, an ore-handling facility, an administration building, and 30 support/storage build-
ings. The other support/storage area contains 15 storage buildings, one warehouse, nine POL bladders,
a helicopter landing pad, and a probable helicopter maintenance/hanger building. Four POL storage
tanks are on the end of the quay. No ships or boats were presen
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(I SR) I -lie Al Qusayr Port Facilities, 40 nm south-southeast of' Bur Safajah, consist of a pier and a
mole extending from a small wharf. A phosphate loading facility is north of the port facilities and is
connected to the mole by an overhead conveyor. One freighter was at this commercial port F
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(TSR) The As Suways Port Facilities Ataqah, 7.3 nm south-southwest of As Suways and 0.3 rim
southeast of Ataqah, consist of two broad, short piers (one of which is damaged), a long quay protected
by a parallel breakwater, a boat basin quayed on two sides and protected by a small dogleg breakwater,
one large and four smaller storage buildings, and an open storage area. Two small cargo ships, 69 small
boats, and ten lighters were observed at this port
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(TSR) The At Tur Port Facilities consist of three finger piers (the longest 425 meters), a quay with
a breasting platform, and an earthen ramp for amphibious craft. Nine large buildings immediately
inland may provide transit storage. There are two major areas for open storage, one of which is fenced.
two small boats were at this port.
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(TSR) The Ras Gharib Port Facilities Ras Shukhayr, on the east edge of Ras Shukhayr, consist of
two finger piers (each with a breasting platform) and a quay. Storage facilities consist of two large
rectangular buildings (one with a C-shaped addition), seven other buildings, three sheds, and two fenced
storage areas. This port is adjacent to an oil storage facility, Ras Sharib POL Storage Area North
gboats, two motorboats, and nine support ships for offshore drilling were at the
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(TSR) The Wadi Hugul Transshipment Point, 21 nm southwest of As Suways, consists of a mole
(yuayed on two sides) with a helicopter pad. A large, fenced storage area contains one large building, 15
small buildings/sheds, and open storage for oil drilling supplies. One probable drilling platform, two
barges, and a floating crane were at this port
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