Yemen is in the midst of a prolonged crisis, with the violent conflict now in its seventh year. The war has led to government fragmentation, economic decline, food insecurity, and infrastructure damage, including seaports. The Port of Aden, operated by the Yemen Gulf of Aden Ports Corporation (YGAPC), plays a crucial role in facilitating humanitarian efforts by serving as the main entry point for cargo, including fuel, food, construction materials, and other goods. However, the port has been severely impacted by the conflict and lacks maintenance, investment, spare parts, and modern systems, resulting in limited capacity to handle incoming vessels. Funded by the government of Japan, this project aims to enhance the operational capability of the Port of Aden to efficiently handle humanitarian and commercial goods, thereby reducing costs and ensuring prompt delivery to Yemenis. The activities include refurbishing transit sheds, procuring handheld communication devices for the Aden Container Terminal (ACT).

Objectives:

1. Refurbishment of transit sheds 1 and 2 (Ma'lla Wharf): The Ma'alla Wharf, which has seven berths, suffered heavy damage in 2015, including two transit sheds. Currently, these transit sheds are unable to provide safe storage for imported goods, leading to the goods being transferred to warehouses located 200-500 meters away. Refurbishing these transit sheds will reduce the cost and time required for discharging and marking goods.
2.  Procurement of handheld communication devices for the Aden Container Terminal (ACT): Digitizing terminal services is crucial for efficient port operations. The Aden Container Terminal (ACT) currently relies on manual processes, including handwritten paper slips for tracking container movements in the yard. This manual system poses risks of information loss and inaccuracy, resulting in time-consuming searches for missing containers. Procuring handheld devices will improve operational efficiency, reduce information mismanagement risks, and enhance customs clearance lead time. Real-time data sharing will keep all stakeholders informed, and rugged handheld devices will enable real-time monitoring of container movements within the port.