Salalah Port Services Co (SAOG), operators of the Port of Salalah, is investing $249 million in port infrastructure, that will help it to add two additional berths as well as build a 2.5 km breakwater, said a senior official.
The port, which enjoyed 53 per cent growth in throughput last year to 2 million TEUs (twenty foot container equivalent units), has taken over the management of Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) as of June 1.
"As port operators, we have gained significant experience and expertise that we are now planning to share with other ports. Our management contract for the ACT is part of a strategic decision to extend our expertise to others and we are hopeful of adding significant value to the terminal," he told Gulf News.
"Last year, we recorded 53 per cent growth in container throughput, reaching two million TEUs. This year, we expect to record 15 to 20 per cent."
He said the terrorist attack in Aden port has diverted many shippers to Salalah, including American President Lines (APL), which is now one of the largest shipping lines serving Salalah.
Salalah Port Services Co, in which AP Moeller holds a 30 per cent stake, the Oman government 20 per cent and the rest split among Omani companies and pension funds, was given the concession to manage Salalah Port five years ago.
The company has since then managed to improve the condition of the port and increase container throughput by increasing efficiency.
The container terminal boasts four berths along 1,236 metres of quay, where vessels of up to 16 metres draft can be accommodated.
In addition to the container terminal the port has facilities to handle most other types of cargo including general cargo, bulk oil, roll-on roll-off cargo and also caters to cruise ships.
The current expansion will increase the ports capacity to over 3 million TEUs per annum.
It recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, handling a total of five million TEUs since inception.
Gulf News
