SOHAR Port and Freezone celebrated the continued rapid growth of the port as it welcomed the recent inaugural call of the container vessel ‘Messini’. The new service, in partnership between Evergreen and Simatech, will now regularly connect SOHAR Port with other major ports in South Asia. The new line is an important addition as it broadens the connectivity of SOHAR with the world and will offer even more choice for Omani importers and exporters.
Attending the welcome ceremonies at the quayside ahead of the arrival of the vessel were were HE Sultan Bin Salim Al Habsi, Chairman of the Board of Sohar Industrial Port Company (SIPC); HE Said Bin Hamdoon Bin Saif Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications for Ports and Maritime Affairs; SOHAR Port and Freezone CEOs Andre Toet and Jamal Aziz respectively; Albert Pang, the CEO of Oman International Container Terminal (OICT); as well as representatives of the Evergreen and Simatech shipping lines.
HE Sultan Al Habsi commented: “By attracting investment in Oman, we are realizing the vision of the government to create another major regional hub port which will help grow not only our captive cargo, but will also take full advantage of Oman’s strategic location for transshipment activities.”
Andre Toet, CEO of the Port Authority, remarked: “Today’s maiden call bears witness to the steady growth in both our handling capacity and our efficiency at SOHAR Port. The continued smooth operations at OICT have brought us new lines and more connections.”
SOHAR Port aims to ensure all Oman-bound cargo will be directed through Omani ports in the near future. Jamal Aziz, CEO of SOHAR Freezone observed: “We now have the capacity for 1.5 million TEUs annually through the Port and that translates directly into more business opportunities in SOHAR Freezone and as the Freezone grows as a manufacturing base, the Port will also grow its share of exports.”
