Wednesday, Jun 06, 2007
Earlier, Oman evacuated tens of thousands or people and closed the major port of Sohar northwest of the capital Muscat, as Gonu roared toward the Strait of Hormuz, the world's major transport artery for Persian Gulf oil.
A few ships were still sailing through the Strait of Hormuz despite four-to-six foot swells and strong winds, according to Suresh Nair of the Gulf Agency Co. shipping firm.
"The entire area is unsafe. Vessels that were bound to call here say they are diverting because of the storm," Nair said. "Some are still going through the strait."
As heavy rains lashed coastal areas, authorities closed all operations at Sohar and evacuated the 11,000 workers, port spokesman Dirk Jan De Vink said.
Sohar's oil refinery and petrochemical plant remained running at very low levels, with authorities considering a total shutdown, De Vink said.
(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires
06-06-07 1031GMT
