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Last year Sohar port in Oman handled more than 2000 vessels in a calendar year for the first time. The landmark vessel was the car carrier, Glovis Superior, which docked at the multipurpose cargo terminal operated by C. Steinweg Oman. More than 200,000 cars are imported annually through Sohar, following a deal signed at the start of last year with Saud Bahwan. As a representative of brands that include Toyota, Lexus, Ford, Daihatsu, and Kia, the company leased a 400,000 square meter plot at Sohar Freezone for a vehicle storage and distribution center for Toyota and Lexus.
However, while the 2000th vessel brought vehicles, commercial director Edwin Lammers said the wider implications for economic growth and diversification are far greater than an individual ship: “Sohar has done well to build volumes across all cargo types and the diversity in our portfolio has been one of our key assets. As more ships come, cargo fees will drop and we will see Sohar transform from its role as a feeder port to a regional hub.”
Rail connectivity will be a vital factor in the port’s long term growth and a significant contract for a rail link between Sohar and Buraimi is expected to be awarded by mid-2015, as part of the ongoing Oman National Rail Project. This was confirmed last week by Dr. Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, at the GCC Rail & Metro Conference.
Technical bids for the 207 km rail line from Sohar Port to Buraimi, are due in by January 18th and commercial bids must be submitted by March 1. The completion of the railway line will provide a significant boost to Sohar port’s prospects.
