MUSCAT -- Sohar Port's Oman International Container Terminal (OICT) announced yesterday the maiden call of MSC Gianna, a container vessel deployed by the global shipping line Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The visit is the latest in a string of successes enjoyed by OICT in attracting new shipping lines to the terminal. It comes close on the heels of global container carrier APL's decision earlier this month to commence operations at Sohar.
"We are delighted by the visit of MSC Gianna, which is deployed as part of MSC's Iran Express service operating from Bandar Abbas in Iran to the Port of Salalah," Teo Lawrence, OICT Chief Executive Officer, said. "This maiden call is a further demonstration of Sohar's appeal to shipping lines as an ideal hub for transhipment cargo." Yesterday's visit by MSC Gianna, a mid-size vessel of around 2,000 twenty equivalent units (TEUs) capacity, was described as a "trial run" as MSC weighs Sohar as a suitable alternative for its transhipment cargo in the face of congestion at other regional ports. MSC's 'Iran Express' service currently tranships at the Port of Salalah for its Iran shipments.
During the port call, MSC Gianna discharged a total of 590 containers -- equivalent to 1,084 TEUs -- at OICT. This shipment of 'empties' is due to be collected by another container vessel for onward delivery. The maiden visit is also seen as evidence of MSC's increased interest in Sohar for its regional operations. The shipping line already operates a regular fortnightly service out of OICT.
Switzerland-headquartered MSC is a privately owned shipping line, which has rapidly grown from a small conventional ship operator to become one of the leading global shipping lines of the world. In recent years, MSC's maritime fleet has expanded substantially to consolidate its position in 2003 as the second largest carrier in respect of container slot capacity and of the number of container vessels operated.
MSC is the leading provider of direct port calls, serving the 6 continents and calling at 270 ports through 170 direct and combined weekly liner services. As of early August 2008, MSC operated 405 container vessels with an intake capacity of 1,345,000 TEUs. Last month, APL, one of the world's largest container shipping lines, began calling at Sohar as part of its China Middle East Express (CMX) service. MSC and APL join another global shipping heavyweight, Maersk Line, in calling regularly at OICT.
OICT is a member of Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH), the world's leading port investor, developer and operator with interests in a total of 292 berths in 47 ports, spanning 24 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australasia. HPH also owns a number of transportation-related service companies. In 2007, the HPH Group handled a combined throughput of 66.3 million TEU worldwide. Other OICT investors include the Government of Oman and a number of other local Omani investors.
By Conrad Prabhu
© Oman Daily Observer 2008
