Print
PDF
The Port of Salalah recently became the first and so far only port in Oman to handle a container vessel over 18000 teu capacity. Mayview Maersk, which is 399m long overall and has a rated capacity of 18,270 teu, berthed at Salalah on 10th April.
David Gledhill, the chief executive of the Port of Salalah, stated, “We are delighted to earn the trust of shipping lines to be able to handle these sizes of vessels. The call is a testament not only the infrastructure of the terminal but more importantly the confidence of the shipping lines in our employees’ ability to handle them in a safe and efficient manner.” Glenhill also pointed out that the Port of Salalah has recently been successful in developing new feeder connections to other ports in the region and will continue to expand these activities in coming months.
The Port of Salalah, which is operated by APM Terminals, handled 2.6 million teu in 2015, as well as with 12.5 million tons of bulk cargo. The port has recently undergone an expansion, which doubled the quay length at its General Cargo Terminal, and increased dry bulk capacity to 20 million tons, and liquid bulk capacity to 6 million tons annually.
In a further development likely to boost the port’s traffic, the Port of Salalah and Oman Oil Marketing Company (Omanoil) recently signed a lease agreement for the development of a small to medium capacity fuel terminal in the Port of Salalah. Due to be completed by the end of 2016, the project will further enhance Oman Oil’s bunker and trading capabilities in the port. David Gledhill added, “This is an important step to increasing the attractiveness of Salalah to international shipping lines. The strategic location of Salalah on major shipping lanes makes it a natural location for bunkering operations, and we are delighted to have Omanoil in the port working with us to realise this potential.”
