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Sohar Ports and Freezone has recently announced impressive second quarter results, despite the impact of the pandemic. The Omani port handled a total of 15.53 million tonnes of cargo, up from 14.5 million tonnes in the second quarter of 2019. Dry bulk cargoes accounted for 9.43 million tonnes of the second quarter throughput, with liquid bulk traffic amounting to 3.96 million tonnes. The port’s container traffic remained relatively stable at 192,822 teu for the quarter. Other highlights included a 16% upturn in ship-to-ship operations and a 4% rise in anchorage visits.
According to Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of Sohar Port, “Although we are all facing the uncertainty of the current situation, the team at Sohar continues to carry out operations in the best possible way, without compromising on the high standards in place. The quarter saw the introduction of two new services that facilitate ease of setting up business at the Port or Freezone and attractive land lease opportunities at Sohar Port South and Terminal 2D. The General Trade License (GTL) extends several discounts to established and potential investors while second license, Tasheel, is available for our customers to allow them to meet all documentation requirements conveniently.”
In addition, a number of new projects are expected to be operational at Sohar Freezone by the end of 2020. During the second quarter land occupancy reached 62%, with warehousing and office occupancy rates reaching 71% and 18% respectively.
