RO 55 million expansion project will boost trading activity for the Dhofar region
Port of Salalah announces that the Ministry of Transport and Communications has awarded the commercial bid project worth RO 55 million to expand the port's general cargo handling capacity that will meet the growing demands for increased economic activity in the Dhofar region and international investment projects in Salalah.
Peter Ford, CEO of Port of Salalah, said, "The general cargo business has been growing rapidly and this expansion will play a significant role in serving the continued development of businesses in Salalah and the surrounding region. We also have a vision of Salalah taking a role as a major liquid bulk hub for a number of commodities. We are grateful to the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the many local stakeholders for their vigorous effort to secure this project."
The project will increase cargo handling capacity to 20 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of dry bulk commodities and over 6 million tonnes of liquid products, in comparison to the port's present cargo handling capacity of 6.5 mtpa during 2011. Main commodities driving the growth of the general cargo business are exports of locally available limestone, gypsum and cement as well as plastics and other bulk commodities.
The expansion of the general container terminal covers the construction of an additional 1200 meters of multi-purpose berths with 18 meters of draft and includes liquid commodities loading facilities. The proposed liquids terminal will add to the port's ability to handle a number of liquids including, but not limited to, methanol, fuel, Mono ethylene glycol, and caustic soda, enabling Port of Salalah to become a premier liquid bulk hub in the region.
Once completed, Port of Salalah will boast a world-class general cargo terminal to complement its container terminal. This combination of facilities utilizing the strategic spot that Salalah occupies and a well functioning free zone creates the 'Salalah Hub' that is ready to serve the local, regional, and global business interests.
On Port of Salalah:
Port of Salalah (also Salalah Port Services Company SAOG) is Oman's largest port. The port is partly owned and managed by APM Terminals, one of the largest container terminal operators in the world. Port of Salalah is a made up of a Container Terminal with seven berths of up to 18m draft and a General Cargo Terminal of twelve berths of up to 16m draft. Strategically located at the major East-West Shipping Lane, the Port of Salalah is viewed as the region's best located port in order to access the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and East Africa.
For more information please contact:
Hala Srouji
GM Corportate Communications
Port of Salalah
GSM + 968 99867737
T + 968 23 220 000 Ext 108
F + 968 23 219 236
hala.srouji@salalahport.com
© Press Release 2012
