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Sohar Port and Freezone recently celebrated a generally positive 2024 performance during its annual business reception event. While overall cargo volumes dropped 2.6% compared to 2023, at 74.5 million tonnes, container throughput jumped 15% to 943,000 TEU, from 818,0000 TEU the year before; and ro-ro traffic surged 25% to 87,000 units, up from 70,000 units in 2023. The biggest growth, however, was achieved in the breakbulk segment, with Sohar handling 1.57 million tonnes, compared with 880,000 tonnes in the previous year, a rise of 77%. Ship-to-ship transfer activity was also up, by 19%, to 3.3 million tonnes, against 2.76 million tonnes in 2023.
On the downside, dry bulk shipments dropped 10%, to 37 million tonnes, while liquid bulk shipments remained fairly stable, at 22.82 million tonnes in 2024.
Total new investments at Sohar last year reached US$ 4 billion, including a 1.35 billion polysilicone production facility, the largest of its kind in the Middle East; a US$ 1.6 billion LNG bunkering project using solar energy; and a US$ 600 million agreement to establish Oman’s first iron ore concentration plant.
Sohar Freezone achieved significant gains as well, with land occupancy reaching 85%, reflecting high levels of demand from both existing and prospective tenants. In 2024, the Freezone signed nine agreements covering 130 hectares of land and generating US$1.8 billion in investments.
