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Sohar Port and Freezone has released trading figures showing a solid performance in the first half of 2017, reflecting its ongoing role in the diversification of Oman’s economy. Container throughput volumes in the second quarter of 2017 were particularly buoyant, growing by 11% compared with the same quarter last year, the port states.
Container traffic at the Hutchison-managed Oman International Container Terminal (OICT) terminal has grown by 300% over the past five years, and its latest Terminal C development features remote-controlled quayside cranes, ready for next generation 20,000 teu vessels; an automated appointment system to reduce truck waiting times and increase turnaround speed; and new Auto-Gates that cut paperwork and delays for drivers entering and leaving the new terminal facilities.
Dry bulk cargo volumes also grew significantly at Sohar Port in the first half of 2017, rising by 24% in comparison to the first six months of last year. However liquid bulk, general and project cargo figures were down slightly compared to 2016.
Mark Geilenkirchen, Chief Executive of Sohar Port, said the port and free zone were starting to take full advantage of their prime strategic location in the region, outside the Strait of Hormuz but close to the main consumer markets of Iran and the Gulf States. “We remain fully committed to building a modern and sustainable logistics infrastructure that will support Oman in achieving all our Vision 2020 objectives,” he added.
