09 May 2012
Salalah: The Port of Salalah recently welcomed executives and representatives from the shipping world's largest shipping lines and principal customers in the local market to the handling of its 30 millionth TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit) container. The distinguishing aspects of Port of Salalah, the second largest port in the region, including its direct connections to the world and shortest transit times to the major markets in Europe, Asia, Africa and the US from the region, were shared during a thorough tour of the port's container terminal.
The tour of Port of Salalah also substantiated its unique position to benefit customers through the Salalah Free Zone and Free Trade Agreements (FTA) accessing United States and Singapore, as well as sea-land-air agreements with local businesses and faster connection routes to the GCC markets.
A milestone achievement
Over the past two years the Port of Salalah has attained resilient growth in productivity and market growth amid the downturn of the global containerships industry, as well as significant progress in the company's safety record and technology investment, to better serve some of the largest vessels in the world.
"We're happy to bring together our local valued customers and all our partners onboard, as well as our people, to mark this achievement which is made possible through your support and dedication," said Peter Ford, ceo of Port of Salalah. Port of Salalah's customers include the world's blue-chip names in ocean carriers such as Maersk Line, APL, CSAV, Shipping Corporation of India and the newly formed G6 alliance.The 30 millionth TEU milestone was a tribute to the port's strength in container handling coinciding with the first eastbound call of Hyundai Force of the G6 alliance, a new service line that increases Port of Salalah connections to Asia and Europe to over 30 sailings every week.
The newly formed G6 alliance unites six ocean carrier firms into one of the largest vessel networks and operates 90 ships each with capacities up to 14,000 TEU covering 40 ports. The G6 includes members of the Grand Alliance -- Hapag-Lloyd, NYK and OOCL -- and the New World Alliance -- APL, Hyundai Merchant Marine and MOL. In honour of the first call by Hyundai Force, the vessel captain was met by Ford who presented a plaque to the captain in upholding the traditional seafaring commemoration of a vessel's first call at port.
Port investment
The Port of Salalah has invested over RO300 million ($800 million) in infrastructure that ranges from some of the world's largest cranes to handle vessels, 2.4km worth of container berth quay with depths of 18 meter, and plenty of yard capacity to ensure growth in line with demand.
Customers were escorted throughout the port to survey the port's day-to-day operations and stopped at safety zones to get a fist-hand experience of the size and scale of Oman's largest port and second largest port in the region.
Feeder service
The tour included a stop at the MV Altonia, the latest vessel added to the Oman Shipping Company subsidiary company, Oman Container Lines (OCL). At 1,730 TEU, MV Altonia is OCL's newest product meeting growing interest in connecting Salalah and Jebel Ali.
"We expect to add Port Sultan Qaboos to the Gulf Express feeder service as well starting weekly this month. With this connection, Omani ports will be connected like never before and it will finally be possible to ensure Omani cargo passes through Omani ports rather than through the UAE," said Nicholas Fisher, CEO of Oman Shipping Company.
"As we go forward we look to expand the network which will include Indian subcontinent, and potentially East Africa, connecting through the Salalah hub, to offer the ability for Omani cargo to reach the world through Omani ports. At the end of the day it's about Omani transportation solutions for the country," Fisher concluded.
In pursuing further solutions and connectivity for Oman's businesses, the Port of Salalah is also working closely with the Salalah Free Zone to provide opportunities for local businesses to flourish, supported by a recently awarded RO55 million ($143 million) contract from the Ministry of Transport and Communications to develop the General Cargo Terminal.
The Port of Salalah is also pursuing a course as a centre of activity for Oman's top-quality limestone, which is equivalent to what is found in Thailand and is used primarily for coal-fired steel manufacturing, as well as serving liquid bulk commodities produced in Oman including methanol, fuel, mono ethylene glycol, and caustic soda.
The tour concluded with a review of Port of Salalah's 20 year vision, infrastructure development and technological investment that will improve efficiencies, reduce waste, and advance automation at the port. Port of Salalah hopes to invest jointly with the Omani government on a valuable proposal to convert its RTG cranes (Rubber Tyred Gantry) from diesel to electricity, which would reduce carbon emissions by at least 17,000 tonnes per year.
Salalah: The Port of Salalah recently welcomed executives and representatives from the shipping world's largest shipping lines and principal customers in the local market to the handling of its 30 millionth TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit) container. The distinguishing aspects of Port of Salalah, the second largest port in the region, including its direct connections to the world and shortest transit times to the major markets in Europe, Asia, Africa and the US from the region, were shared during a thorough tour of the port's container terminal.
The tour of Port of Salalah also substantiated its unique position to benefit customers through the Salalah Free Zone and Free Trade Agreements (FTA) accessing United States and Singapore, as well as sea-land-air agreements with local businesses and faster connection routes to the GCC markets.
A milestone achievement
Over the past two years the Port of Salalah has attained resilient growth in productivity and market growth amid the downturn of the global containerships industry, as well as significant progress in the company's safety record and technology investment, to better serve some of the largest vessels in the world.
"We're happy to bring together our local valued customers and all our partners onboard, as well as our people, to mark this achievement which is made possible through your support and dedication," said Peter Ford, ceo of Port of Salalah. Port of Salalah's customers include the world's blue-chip names in ocean carriers such as Maersk Line, APL, CSAV, Shipping Corporation of India and the newly formed G6 alliance.The 30 millionth TEU milestone was a tribute to the port's strength in container handling coinciding with the first eastbound call of Hyundai Force of the G6 alliance, a new service line that increases Port of Salalah connections to Asia and Europe to over 30 sailings every week.
The newly formed G6 alliance unites six ocean carrier firms into one of the largest vessel networks and operates 90 ships each with capacities up to 14,000 TEU covering 40 ports. The G6 includes members of the Grand Alliance -- Hapag-Lloyd, NYK and OOCL -- and the New World Alliance -- APL, Hyundai Merchant Marine and MOL. In honour of the first call by Hyundai Force, the vessel captain was met by Ford who presented a plaque to the captain in upholding the traditional seafaring commemoration of a vessel's first call at port.
Port investment
The Port of Salalah has invested over RO300 million ($800 million) in infrastructure that ranges from some of the world's largest cranes to handle vessels, 2.4km worth of container berth quay with depths of 18 meter, and plenty of yard capacity to ensure growth in line with demand.
Customers were escorted throughout the port to survey the port's day-to-day operations and stopped at safety zones to get a fist-hand experience of the size and scale of Oman's largest port and second largest port in the region.
Feeder service
The tour included a stop at the MV Altonia, the latest vessel added to the Oman Shipping Company subsidiary company, Oman Container Lines (OCL). At 1,730 TEU, MV Altonia is OCL's newest product meeting growing interest in connecting Salalah and Jebel Ali.
"We expect to add Port Sultan Qaboos to the Gulf Express feeder service as well starting weekly this month. With this connection, Omani ports will be connected like never before and it will finally be possible to ensure Omani cargo passes through Omani ports rather than through the UAE," said Nicholas Fisher, CEO of Oman Shipping Company.
"As we go forward we look to expand the network which will include Indian subcontinent, and potentially East Africa, connecting through the Salalah hub, to offer the ability for Omani cargo to reach the world through Omani ports. At the end of the day it's about Omani transportation solutions for the country," Fisher concluded.
In pursuing further solutions and connectivity for Oman's businesses, the Port of Salalah is also working closely with the Salalah Free Zone to provide opportunities for local businesses to flourish, supported by a recently awarded RO55 million ($143 million) contract from the Ministry of Transport and Communications to develop the General Cargo Terminal.
The Port of Salalah is also pursuing a course as a centre of activity for Oman's top-quality limestone, which is equivalent to what is found in Thailand and is used primarily for coal-fired steel manufacturing, as well as serving liquid bulk commodities produced in Oman including methanol, fuel, mono ethylene glycol, and caustic soda.
The tour concluded with a review of Port of Salalah's 20 year vision, infrastructure development and technological investment that will improve efficiencies, reduce waste, and advance automation at the port. Port of Salalah hopes to invest jointly with the Omani government on a valuable proposal to convert its RTG cranes (Rubber Tyred Gantry) from diesel to electricity, which would reduce carbon emissions by at least 17,000 tonnes per year.
© Times of Oman 2012
