Business at the Port of Salalah grew 70 per cent, according to statistics from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, as the port moved closer to reaching their development target for 2020.
The port received 1,362 ships from January to May 2016, compared to 801 during the same period last year.
Further, there was a 26.7 per cent increase in containers received at the port during the last 6 months, where handled containers surpassed 1.297 million intermodal transport unit (ITUs), compared to 1.024 million (ITUs) in the same period last year.
Also, the general cargo flow during the last six months saw a growth of 12 per cent, as 5.933 million tonnes were handled, compared to 5.300 million tonnes last year in the same period.
Additionally, the Sultanate is planning to expand the capacity of the port from five million ITUs to more than seven million ITUs annually through the third phase expansion project at Salalah port, which includes designing the northern water breakers, services and tourism wharfs, designing the expansion of the southern water breaker, dredging and reclamation works, as well as awarding the consultancy tender for the rehabilitation of the old general cargo station.
Meanwhile, there has been an increase in ships, handled containers and general cargo from January 2016 until May 2016 at Sohar port.
The port received 975 ships from January to May 2016, compared to 954 ships in the same period last year, reflecting a 2.2 per cent growth rate. The port also saw a 21 per cent increase in containers handled in the first half of 2016.
There was a 68 per cent increase in general cargo received at Sohar during the last six months in 2016, which counted 1.643 million tonnes loaded, compared to 980,000 tonnes loaded during the same period last year.
Also, the Port of Duqm reached important milestones in the first half of 2016, confirming its position as a ‘heavy lift project’ and ‘break bulk’ cargo handler for the oil and gas industry, as it saw increased volumes in the first half of the year, in comparison with the same period last year. This occurred due to three new oil and gas projects moving ahead, despite the difficulties in the market.
Also, a very important milestone for the Port of Duqm is the launch of a multi-purpose feeder vessel, operated by Oman Shipping, which connects the port with other regional ports,including Salalah, Sohar and Jebel Ali.
This will primarily allow container traffic to be imported to, and exported from,the port on a competitive and regular basis, until it starts operating its container terminal, which is expected to be launched in 2019.
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