MUSCAT -- Plans for a new commercial port at Shinas are making headway with the selection of an international engineering consultancy firm last week to evaluate the overall feasibility of establishing the facility on the Sultanate's northern Batinah coast. The proposed port is part of the government's strategy to develop the Sultanate's maritime infrastructure and help stimulate economic development and private investment in key locations along the nation's coast. A huge port and dry dock complex at Duqm, as well as smaller harbours and jetties at Dibba (Musandam Governorate) and Hallaniyat Islands (Dhofar Governorate), are in line with this goal.
Development of the proposed Shinas Port will be undertaken in stages starting with a study designed to weigh the economic benefits and commercial costs of establishing a new maritime gateway on Oman's northern coast. Italian engineering firm Sering Ingegneria has won the contract to undertake a technical and economic feasibility study, based on which a decision will be taken by the government on the implementation of the project. As with all port development ventures, the Ministry of Transport and Communications is overseeing the conception and implementation of the Shinas port project.
Shinas's proximity to the United Arab Emirates makes it potentially attractive to commercial, tourism and other economic investment, but only when the requisite transport and utility infrastructure is substantially in place, say officials. The town is seen as well-positioned to exploit its strategic location in a region that has witnessed unprecedented economic growth. It not only abuts international sea routes linking the Upper Gulf, Northern Oman and other Indian Ocean hubs, but its relative proximity to the commercial and industrial growth centres of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sohar can be suitably leveraged to attract maritime traffic and economic investment. Based on Sering's feasibility study, the government will decide whether to build the proposed port at an existing jetty or develop a greenfield facility at a suitable location nearby.
The existing harbour, opened in 2001, doubles as a harbour for the town's thriving fishing community, as well as handles moderate volumes of foodstuff and general merchandise consumed within the wilayat and surrounding areas. Around 90 small-sized commercial cargo boats called at the jetty during 2008, discharging in all some 75 tonnes of foodstuff and related goods, as well as 12,000 sheep. But capacity and locational constraints significantly limit any moves to expand the jetty in line with the wilayat's future growth needs, it is pointed out.
The scope and size of the proposed port at Shinas will be determined by traffic and demand forecasts, as well as the potential for commercial and infrastructure investment around the port. Prospects for investments in warehousing and storage, small-scale industries, and potentially even a free zone type enterprise, will be evaluated as well. Based on the findings of the techno-economic feasibility study, the engineering design of the proposed port is planned in the next stage of the project's implementation, in line with the ministry's strategy to pursue development of the facility in a phased manner.
By Conrad Prabhu
© Oman Daily Observer 2010
