Port of Salalah has hosted over 200 students from government schools to a unique tour of Oman's largest port and among the busiest container ports in the region.
Throughout April the port has conducted educational boat tours to the students aged 13-15, to demonstrate the dynamics of world trade from the once-in-a-lifetime experience of being in a tugboat as it sails by gigantic container, cargo and cruise ships.
The students also toured various offices and functions across Operations, Container Planning, Information Technology, Security, Marine, and Training while meeting Omani employees at all levels of the company. These department visits put into perspective the complexity and size of the port operations, but more essentially, helped to open new horizons on career paths that were in demand.
"Educating the new generation and providing the opportunity to visit the biggest project in the area is seen as both a responsibility and a long-time investment for the Port of Salalah. We regard these youth as the business entrepreneurs of the future, who are not only future employees of the port, but future customers, suppliers and partners in the port's growth," said Ahmed Akaak, Deputy CEO at the Port of Salalah.
The Port of Salalah is a key economic enabler for the southern governorate of Dhofar and for the nation: the port handles over 300,000 containers per month - over 10,000 containers daily - as well as a 0.6 million tons of dry bulk and liquid cargos per month.
About the Port of Salalah:
Port of Salalah (also Salalah Port Services Company SAOG) is Oman's largest port. Strategically located at the major East-West Shipping Lane, the Port of Salalah is viewed as the region's best located port in order to access the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and East Africa. Port of Salalah is a made up of a Container Terminal with seven berths of up to 18m draft and a General Cargo Terminal of twelve berths of up to 16m draft, with infrastructure to handle the world's largest container vessels, as well as bulk cargo, bunkering and warehousing. The port location offers the fastest transit times from the region to connect business to the Europe-Asia trade lane, with 52 direct-port connections and feeder connections to reach developing markets of East Africa, India and the GCC markets.
The Port of Salalah combined with the Salalah Free Zone and Salalah Airport form an ideal location for value-add and distribution services that can take advantage of the excellent liner connectivity offering over 3000 vessel calls annually and sea-air logistics through the Salalah Airport, just 15 minutes away from the port. The adjacent Free Zone offers zero corporate tax for 30 years and 100% foreign ownership possibilities, where customers enjoy the benefit of the US/Oman Free Trade Agreement that provides zero or low import duties between countries. Foreign Direct Investment into the Salalah Hub is valued at US$ 3.5 billion in 2012, with leaders in bulk goods (cement, minerals, lime, grain and agriculture, methanol and liquid, building material), manufacturing (PET plastics, auto components, garments, auto components,) and logistic companies choosing Salalah for production and supply chain efficiency.
Port of Salalah has risen to a rank amongst the world's top 30 container ports and has broken the world record for productivity twice. The port has also won local and international awards in economic development, health and safety, innovation and environmental initiatives. The port is partly owned and managed by APM Terminals, one of the largest container terminal operators in the world.
In 2012 the Port of Salalah won the prestigious Containerisation International Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award and Green Champion by Oman Green Awards. Port of Salalah has been named Most Improved Terminal in Africa and Middle East (AME) Region 2012 by APM Terminals, for its highest improvements in productivity, cost and earnings efficiencies, and service. Port of Salalah also reached a significant milestone marking its 30 millionth container handled at the port in its 14 years of operations.
Media contact:
Hala Srouji
GM Corportate Communications - Port of Salalah
GSM + 968 99867737
T + 968 23 220 000 Ext 108
F + 968 23 219 236
hala.srouji@salalahport.com
© Press Release 2013
