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Sohar Port and Freezone recently welcomed the inaugural call of the container vessel Messini as part of a new service introduced jointly by Evergreen and Simatech. This service will offer a direct connection between Sohar and major ports in South Asia providing even more choice for Omani importers and exporters.
Since the closure of Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat to commercial traffic in June last year, container traffic at Oman International Container Terminal (OICT) in Sohar has more than doubled. According to Andre Toet, chief executive of Sohar Port, “The continued smooth operations at OICT have brought us new lines and more connections. Regular calls of vessels like the Messini are a sign of even bigger things to come.”
As the port flourishes so does the Free Zone. Its chief executive, Jamal Aziz, added: “We now have the capacity for 1.5 million teu annually through the port and that translates directly into more business opportunities in the Freezone. As the Freezone grows as a manufacturing base, the port will also grow its share of exports.”
In a further boost to the port’s prospects it has been confirmed that Oman Sugar Refinery Company will develop a sugar refinery at the port of Sohar. The first sugar refinery to be established in Oman, it will be able to take advantage of the facilities provided by the port of Sohar, boosting throughput.
