· Appointment system to reduce waiting time, streamline logistics
· Senior officials expecting fewer empty Muscat-Sohar trailer trips
· Traffic flow and economic performance among wider benefits
Sohar - A brand new truck appointment system that will allow drivers calling at SOHAR Port and Freezone to schedule collection and delivery of cargo in advance is to be unveiled at Oman International Container Terminal next month, according to a senior official at the terminal operator.
OICT/Hutchison Port Holdings has invested US$184 million in developing state-of-the-art terminal operations at SOHAR. Albert Pang, CEO of Oman International Container Terminal said the new truck appointment system will be an important step in creating the nucleus of a seamless logistics network in Oman's busting North Al Batinah region.
"The truck appointment system will provide a number of time and cost savings for logistics service providers and the broader Omani economy. Perhaps the biggest benefit will be the ability for drivers to monitor traffic flows remotely and schedule their arrival," he said.
"This extra visibility should lead to better traffic flow in the port and on local roads as well as fewer empty trips between Muscat and Sohar," he continued.
Oman's logistics sector has grown rapidly in the past decade, and with increased investment aiming to create 80,000 jobs by 2020 the truck appointment system is expected to make the industry more competitive.
"The industrial and economic benefits of being able to consolidate the movement of cargo, include lower shipping costs and increased connectivity, which has the potential to enhance Oman's existing competitive advantage," said Pang.
Pang said the new system has been designed with end-users in mind and that drivers will have three options to book arrival times at the port, includes a mobile app, a dedicated website, and an IVR (Interactive Voice Recognition) number.
"We are aware of the need for flexibility and that the mobile devices drivers have access to will vary significantly," he said.
-Ends-
About Oman International Container Terminal
Oman International Container Terminal is a joint venture between Hutchison Port Holdings, the Government of the Sultanate of Oman, Steinweg of Netherlands and a number of Omani Investors. OICT is located at SOHAR Port and Freezone and has the capacity to serve some of the world's largest container vessels. As the gateway for international trade in Oman and the broader GCC region, it has become a hub for container carrier connections from its strategic located outside the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf of Oman, approximately 200km from Muscat and 160km from Dubai.
About Hutchison Port Holdings
Hutchison Port Holdings, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited, is the world's leading port investor, developer, and operator. Its network of operations comprises 319 berths in 52 ports, spanning 26 countries throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Australasia. Over the years, the multinational conglomerate has expanded into logistics, transportation, and hotel sectors. This includes cruise ship terminals, airport and hotel operations, distribution centres, rail services, and ship repair facilities. In 2013, the HPH port network handled a combined throughput of 78.3 million TEU worldwide.
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© Press Release 2015
