MUSCAT -- A strong pickup in project construction activity at the Port of Sohar is translating into another year of healthier cargo volumes for C Steinweg Oman, the stevedore and operator of the industrial port's multi-purpose terminal. A two-fold rise in cargo volumes is projected this year, fuelled by a robust increase in project cargo arriving at Sohar for the many heavy industries under construction at the port.
"We have handled almost 100 ships at the Steinweg terminal so far this year, and are confident of significantly surpassing the 2005 total of 120 vessels. In terms of freight tons, we have so far handled almost what we accomplished during the whole of 2005. Thus, a doubling of volumes is on the cards in 2006," commented Christophe Van Loon, Commercial Director, C Steinweg Oman LLC.
Project cargo for Sohar Port's industrial ventures accounts for roughly half of all volumes handled by Steinweg. "We are currently receiving construction cargo for the methanol scheme and fertiliser plant, and have handled a few ships bringing some equipment for Sohar Aluminium's smelter. The first ship with dedicated project cargo for Sohar Aluminium will arrive at the end of this month," Van Loon said.
Volumes are set to further rise when construction commences on the power island of Sohar Aluminium, and Shadeed's steel project by the year-end. Work on the plants of Aromatics Oman and Oman Petrochemical Industries Company (OPIC), scheduled to kick off next year, will also add to volume growth, he noted. In addition, Steinweg also handles significant amounts of raw material imports for industries based at the Sohar Industrial Estate, and those located elsewhere in the Batinah region. Besides, large amounts of equipment for various infrastructure, utility and oilfield projects are also being sourced through the Port of Sohar.
"Over the last two years, we handled all of the pipe imports for the Sohar-Mina al Fahal mixed crude feedstock pipeline, which serves the Sohar Refinery. We also recently completed the unloading of pipes for the giant water distribution network covering the Batinah region. Pipes for two oilfield projects too have started arriving via Sohar." Also making up volumes at the Steinweg terminal are sizable amounts of captive cargo, notably steel billets, coils, and so on. Around half a million tonnes of steel products are handled annually at the port, in addition to some 150,000 tonnes of dry bulk cargo, says Van Loon.
The terminal's heavy lift capability allows for the loading and unloading of outsized project equipment, the Commercial Director explained. Earlier this year, Steinweg handled the heaviest pieces of project equipment ever shipped to Oman: four evaporators for Sohar Power Company, each weighing 2,300 tonnes. "The terminal is now fully equipped and paved to handle all types of heavy and wide cargoes. Two mobile shore cranes, with a lifting capacity of over 70 tons, have been added, joining a wide range of forklifts, reach stackers, MAFI trailers, and three remote controlled grabs for dry bulk cargoes. We also have a well-consolidated labour pool, 75 per cent of which is Omanised," Van Loon stated.
The growth in cargo traffic reflects the port's increasing appeal to shippers, from the geographic and economic standpoints, says Van Loon. "The majority of project cargo and captive cargo destined for Sohar is now handled at the industrial port. However, this is not at the expense of Port Sultan Qaboos, but other neighbouring ports in the Gulf region. Indeed, we are looking forward to steady growth in the coming years, and have all the confidence in the future of the port."
By Conrad Prabhu
© Oman Daily Observer 2006
