29 July 2015
MUSCAT: A consortium led by Port Services Corporation (PSC) has been shortlisted to participate in bidding for a contract to operate and manage the Sultanate's first dry port coming up at South Batinah Logistics Area.
"The consortium, led by the corporation, has been shortlisted to participate in the 'request for proposal,' which is expected to be floated in September 2015," PSC said in its first half result posted on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) website.
Logistics hub
According to earlier reports, South Al Batinah logistics hub, coming up in an initial area of 30 hectares, will be built in six stages. The first stage, which will have three million square metres, is dedicated for logistic services including the dry port, which will be the first of its kind in the Sultanate.
The dry port includes spaces for custom inspection over the containers coming to and going from the land and marine ports.
Referring to the operation and management of Khasab port, PSC said that the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) has no comments on the joint business proposal submitted by PSC and its strategic partner. However, the ministry has expressed its desire to contract for managing and operating Khasab port directly with the corporation, which will in turn have the right to appoint the strategic partner at its discretion. "Meanwhile, the corporation continues overseeing the operation of the Port of Khasab on a temporary basis based on a MoU entered into with the MoTC."
While the corporation continues to provide efficient services to the cargo vessels which have been allowed to call Port Sultan Qaboos by the MoTC, the terms of the concession agreement, which has been proposed by the ministry to extend upto December 31, 2015, is under negotiation process for signing the final extension pact.
Drop in net profit
The number of vessels called and cargo throughput achieved during the first six months of 2015 has reduced significantly compared to the same period last year on account of the shifting of the main commercial activities from PSQ with effect from September 1, 2014 to Sohar Industrial Port.
Port Services Corporation said that its net profit for the first half of 2015 dipped by 98.1 per cent to OMR73,140 from OMR3.88 million for the same period last year.
The company's turnover plummeted by 86.6 per cent to OMR1.58 million from OMR11.83 million, while total expenses were down by 45.7 per cent to OMR3.21 million during the period.
"Due to transition of business volumes from PSQ, the turnover has been significantly lower than the turnover achieved during the last year by 86.6 per cent which is considered as a natural result for this period, the company said. By the end of June, 2015, the corporation employed a total of 372 employees out of which 309 are Omani nationals. "While the corporation has already terminated the services of all surplus expatriate employees, it still awaits the government directives with regard to reduction of the surplus national employees," noted the first half result.
MUSCAT: A consortium led by Port Services Corporation (PSC) has been shortlisted to participate in bidding for a contract to operate and manage the Sultanate's first dry port coming up at South Batinah Logistics Area.
"The consortium, led by the corporation, has been shortlisted to participate in the 'request for proposal,' which is expected to be floated in September 2015," PSC said in its first half result posted on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) website.
Logistics hub
According to earlier reports, South Al Batinah logistics hub, coming up in an initial area of 30 hectares, will be built in six stages. The first stage, which will have three million square metres, is dedicated for logistic services including the dry port, which will be the first of its kind in the Sultanate.
The dry port includes spaces for custom inspection over the containers coming to and going from the land and marine ports.
Referring to the operation and management of Khasab port, PSC said that the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) has no comments on the joint business proposal submitted by PSC and its strategic partner. However, the ministry has expressed its desire to contract for managing and operating Khasab port directly with the corporation, which will in turn have the right to appoint the strategic partner at its discretion. "Meanwhile, the corporation continues overseeing the operation of the Port of Khasab on a temporary basis based on a MoU entered into with the MoTC."
While the corporation continues to provide efficient services to the cargo vessels which have been allowed to call Port Sultan Qaboos by the MoTC, the terms of the concession agreement, which has been proposed by the ministry to extend upto December 31, 2015, is under negotiation process for signing the final extension pact.
Drop in net profit
The number of vessels called and cargo throughput achieved during the first six months of 2015 has reduced significantly compared to the same period last year on account of the shifting of the main commercial activities from PSQ with effect from September 1, 2014 to Sohar Industrial Port.
Port Services Corporation said that its net profit for the first half of 2015 dipped by 98.1 per cent to OMR73,140 from OMR3.88 million for the same period last year.
The company's turnover plummeted by 86.6 per cent to OMR1.58 million from OMR11.83 million, while total expenses were down by 45.7 per cent to OMR3.21 million during the period.
"Due to transition of business volumes from PSQ, the turnover has been significantly lower than the turnover achieved during the last year by 86.6 per cent which is considered as a natural result for this period, the company said. By the end of June, 2015, the corporation employed a total of 372 employees out of which 309 are Omani nationals. "While the corporation has already terminated the services of all surplus expatriate employees, it still awaits the government directives with regard to reduction of the surplus national employees," noted the first half result.
© Times of Oman 2015
