Terminal B to be operational next month
MUSCAT -- Oman International Container Terminal (OICT) has taken delivery of a major shipment of equipment for its state of the art facility at the Port of Sohar. The consignment includes four post-Panamax quay cranes, four more RTGCs, two reachstackers and 33 yard chasses. The previous shipments had brought in 15 yard tractors and four RTGCs. These post-Panamax quay cranes have the ability to ensure the fast and effective handling of next generation container vessels.
The latest and last batch of equipment to OICT marks the swift progress of Phase I developments at Terminal B, which is expected to be operational in September 2006. Commenting on the development of OICT, James Frater, CEO of OICT said, "The terminal will facilitate the increasing cargo trade in the Gulf region through the provision of efficient and effective services." He went on to add, "We are committed to developing OICT into a world-class container terminal."
OICT's Phase I will have a total yard area of 26 hectares and a quay length of 520 metres, with a depth alongside of 16 metres. The current equipment count stands at four post-Panamax quay cranes, eight RTGCs, two reachstackers, 15 yard tractors and 33 chasses. Oman International Container Terminal is a joint-venture between Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH), the Government of Oman, Steinweg of the Netherlands and a number of other well-established Omani investors. OICT will be equipped with the most updated facilities to cater to the largest container vessels sailing today. It will serve as the gateway for international trade in Oman as well as a hub for container carrier connections.
HPH is a subsidiary of the multinational conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL), the world's leading port investor, developer and operator with interests in 20 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Today HPH operates a total of 247 berths in 42 ports together with a number of transportation related service companies. With industry recognized core competence in the effective and efficient management and operation of ports, the HPH Group handled 51.8 million TEU in 2005.
By Staff Reporter
© Oman Daily Observer 2006
