In line with the directives of the Omani Government, SOHAR Port and Freezone continues to digitalise its services in order to offer its tenants with high-quality services as well as ease of doing business. In this regard, an easy-to-use online permit management platform, “Tasheel” was officially launched on July 7 by HE Dr Mohammed bin Nasser Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board, during a digital video conference. Through this system, tenants and service providers can conveniently apply for relevant Port and Freezone permits.

Highlighting the importance of Tasheel, Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of SOHAR Port, said, “Taken from the Arabic word for ‘Simplified’, Tasheel has been set-up to provide our tenants with ease of doing business and making their permit application process as convenient as possible. We felt it important to streamline the process and ensure that everyone is aware of the main assets at SOHAR Port and Freezone. The canals, oil, and gas that flow through the pipelines at the port are crucial to the work environment and having a permit system in place enables us to maintain order and ensure the safety and security of all people and SOHAR assets.”
SOHAR Port and Freezone Management will provide the necessary credentials for tenants and service providers when they apply. Tasheel has been set up as a simple and transparent permit application system that also allows for communications and applications, all in one platform. It includes filling out information to apply for Plot Work, Common Area and Special Transport permits. This is the first phase of the application and it will see several more features and flexibility options rolled out in the future.
From his side, Omar bin Mahmood Al Mahrizi, CEO SOHAR Freezone, DCEO SOHAR Port said: “SOHAR Port and Freezone is on the fast track to becoming a key logistics hub in the region, as well as on a global scale. Our ability to offer simplified online systems, alongside our One-Stop-Service and several attractive benefits, is vital to increase the inflow of visitors to our Port and Freezone. This way, we can contribute to the diversification efforts of the local economy while creating job opportunities.”

 

• 18% more break bulk volume handled and 2% increase in liquid bulk
• Vessel calls rose by 4%
• STS operations grew by 90%

Despite the current situation surrounding the prevalence of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), SOHAR Port and Freezone has reported an increase in cargo volume and a significant performance for the first quarter of 2020. Break bulk rose to 18% and liquid bulk to 2%, as compared to statistics of Q1 2019. The Port also saw a 4% increase in vessel calls, standing at 825 and a 15% increase in anchorage calls. Moreover, ship-to-ship (STS) rose by 90% during the same period. This is also due to the position of SOHAR, taking into account the benefits of its various direct connections to renowned global ports.

Commenting on the cargo growth, Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of SOHAR Port said, “The Sultanate and the entire world is going through a difficult time since the onset of the virus. However, since SOHAR is a key logistics gateway for incoming goods, we are committed to playing a part in the endeavours of the nation to double our efforts to make sure that there is an uninterrupted flow of goods to meet the demands of the local market. With the implementation of our business continuity plan and together with the efforts of our marine team, we have been able to effectively manage the shipping goods and logistic operations, while simultaneously keeping in mind the highest levels of safety at all our facilities, following the directives of the relevant Supreme Committee.”

“The hard work and dedication of SOHAR team did not unnoticed, since it was through their high-performance, that we have seen cargo inflow and an increase in the number of goods handled. This, in turn, affirms our vital role in supplementing the initiatives of the Omani Government to diversify the local economy, with logistics at its core,” Mark added.

Form his side, Omar Mahmood Al Mahrizi, CEO SOHAR Freezone said, “Complementing the Port, SOHAR Freezone also achieved positive performance in Q1 2020, as construction work on 8 new projects have begun, which were signed last year. Furthermore, several of those projects are also expected to be operational by the end of this year. With regard to ready warehouses, which span across an area of 78,000 square meters, occupancy rate stood at 71%, as of the end of March, thus indicating positive growth for the upcoming period. We are extremely thankful for all the efforts of everyone that has been involved in ensuring that SOHAR Port and Freezone remains on top of its activities to deliver high-quality services to all its customers. We believe that together, we will be able to fulfill our commitment of further positioning SOHAR as a key logistics hub, not only in the region but in the world as well, in line with SOLS 2040, which focuses on the development of logistic infrastructure. Furthermore, this will also see us meet the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, regarding economic diversification, led by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq – May the Almighty protect and preserve him.”

Despite the current unprecedented situation due to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the management team at SOHAR Port and Freezone affirms that business continues to operate as usual, while implementing the highest preventive measures at SOHAR facilities in line with directives of the Supreme Committee. SOHAR entered into an agreement with Unity Fire & Safety Services LLC, an Omani company, for the management of the Sohar Emergency Response Organisation (SERO). The signing took place on 19th May between Mark Geilenkirchen CEO of SOHAR Port, representing SOHAR and Kevan Whitehead, Managing Director of Unity Fire and Safety Services LLC.

Commenting on the new partnership, Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of SOHAR Port said, “At SOHAR, we believe that ensuring high standards of safety, which also includes the presence of a well-prepared Emergency Response is vital for our business continuity. The agreement will help to minimise the financial, reputational, environmental and human safety impacts of any incidents that might occur. We have identified the need to strengthen the Emergency Response system and align it better with the area risk profile. Therefore, for several years we have been preparing the establishment of a specialised Sohar Emergency Response Organisation (SERO), which will become the collective first responder for all incidents within the Port area, while simultaneously working in a formal, well-trained Mutual-Aid system with OQ and PACDA in the case of very large incidents.”

From his side, Kevan Whitehead, Managing Director of Unity Fire and Safety Services LLC stated, “As a local Omani company, Unity Fire & Safety Services LLC is extremely proud and delighted to have been chosen to be a part of the management of the Sohar Emergency Response Organisation. We believe through various developments SOHAR will become the best practice model for all Sea Ports within Oman. We envision that SERO will be responsible for the creation of local employment opportunities with a target of around 90% Omanisation, furthermore creating a cost-effective and efficient emergency response organisation for all the tenants and customers at SOHAR Port and Freezone.”

SERO is highly trained and prepared to handle various incidents ranging from building and industrial fires to traffic accidents to medical emergencies and traumas. SERO has several key capabilities and is tasked to provide medical assistance, standard and industrial firefighting, HAZMAT and technical rescue, including rope and confined space rescue. On a 24-hour basis, SERO maintains an emergency response and dispatch centre to handle incident reports and alert ER team members. SERO is tasked with providing assistance anywhere within the port within six minutes of an emergency being reported. An important additional task is to add value for tenants, with services that include fire equipment maintenance and prevention advice.

“We began using the brand SERO in 2018 mainly within the Port industrial community and we aim to continue to brand it in this manner. SERO reflects international best practices while being custom-tailored to fit the local needs and customs of SOHAR port in each and every aspect. To this end, the SERO model was developed in close cooperation with the tenants as well as the Safety Authority Rotterdam, from the Netherlands. Currently, we have several emergency response units operated either by individual tenants or by Public Authority for Civil Defence (PACDA). These teams do not have the guaranteed capacity and skills to fight the industrial incident scenarios that can happen throughout the area. With the introduction of a centralised SERO, Emergency Response can be set up more efficiently to be able to handle larger incident scenarios effectively,” Mark added.

The management team at SOHAR Port and Freezone affirms the continuation of its business operations, despite the current health crisis surrounding the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). SOHAR team has increased efforts to ensure an uninterrupted flow of operations and a continued supply to the local market. SOHAR has activated its business continuity plan, while also adhering to the health and safety directives mandated by the Supreme Committee, throughout all its Port and Freezone facilities.

SOHAR conducted its annual Business Reception at The Chedi Muscat on Tuesday, March 3. During the event, SOHAR also looked back over its achievements in the past year while also shedding light on future plans that will take place in the upcoming year. The event was conducted in the presence of a large number of strategic partners and representatives of the companies working at SOHAR Port and Freezone.

“SOHAR Port and Freezone has a well-established mission and vision to establish itself as an important sustainable logistics hub in the region. Therefore, all our members are constantly focused on delivering excellent business services to our clients while continuing to enrich our relationship with the local community. We continue to keep ourselves abreast with the latest technology and developments to ensure maximum benefit not only to the organization and the surrounding community but to also align ourselves with the Oman Vision 2040,” Mark concluded.

Agreements and signings over the course of 2019:

2019 saw the groundbreaking of RFX Parks, Shell and Sanvira, alongside further expansions for Al Tamman Indsil, Matrix Prime and SV Pittie. New partnerships were also forged in the Freezone with Gulf Alloys and Metals and Madhav Surfaces.

SOHAR Port and Freezone arranged for the participation of 18 families from Sohar and 876 kids from the ‘Get Sohar Active’ campaign in the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon

25 employees of SOHAR were also a part of the event

Continuing in its firm commitment to implement initiatives that embrace health and wellness, SOHAR Port and Freezone, in collaboration with Oman Sail and the Directorate General of Education in North Batinah region brought 876 children and 18 families to take part in the Kid’s Run at the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon. The event also saw the participation of 25 SOHAR employees, alongside Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO, SOHAR Port and Freezone, firing the starting pistol to commence the Kids’ Race, which took place on Saturday, February 22. These efforts are a part of the larger ‘Get Sohar Active’ programme that SOHAR is encouraging since 2019.

Commenting on the Marathon, Mark Geilenkirchen said, “At SOHAR, we seek to encourage the local community to take on a healthy and active lifestyle, in accordance with our ‘Get Sohar Active’ initiative. Furthermore, it was incredibly motivating to see thousands of young children who showed up and were excited to take part in the Kid’s Run. It was also inspirational to note that 876 of the children came from our community in Sohar. I believe that participating in activities that enhance health and wellness at an early age, will play a huge part later on in their lives and be influential in building future leaders of tomorrow.”

‘Get Sohar Active’ comprises of several activities for the whole community, including six training sessions for adults and children at the Sohar Sports Stadium throughout the year, together with nutrition and health information. The first ‘Get Sohar Active’ session was conducted last year in January 2019, facilitated by Alpha Movement Specialist. The aim of the session was to prepare everyone who were participating in the upcoming marathon. To further inspire running in the community, SOHAR will also provide designated running routes of 5km and 10km set out around the port and free zone for local runners.

“We aim to inculcate a culture of health and wellness within our community in Suhar and the Al Mouj Marathon is the perfect platform for us to showcase our support for the well-being of all citizens in Oman, alongside highlighting the importance of fitness, hard work and dedication,” Mark added.

In line with its commitment to provide high-quality vessel services, SOHAR entered into an agreement with Albwardy Damen on February 12. The signing took place SOHAR Port and Freezone Head Office, with Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of SOHAR Port representing SOHAR and Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed Al Shidi, representing Albwardy Damen. The agreement will see the installation of a 40-foot workshop container at a service jetty in the Port and will be Albwardy Damen’s fourth operational location in the Middle East.

Commenting on the importance of the agreement, Mark Geilenkirchen said, “Albwardy Damen is one of the renowned shipbuilding and ship repair providers in the Middle East. Our partnership with them is truly a reflection of our efforts to provide all our clients with state-of-the-art and high-quality services. The new service will also be a valuable addition to our offerings here at SOHAR, further enriching our offerings, to ensure that we continue on our path of growth and progress in the region.”

Albwardy Damen’s portfolio, repair portfolio includes hull and deck steel repairs, hydro-blasting and painting works, GRE Piping repairs, engine overhaul, hydraulic and electric work. The upcoming workshop will be fitted out with relevant machinery and tools, including lathe, press, drilling and welding machines to offer easy and quick services for vessels calling at the Port. There will also be the presence of certified engineers, to meet requisite customer needs.

Mark Pearson, Operations Director of Al Bawardy Damen commented: “Vessels calling into SOHAR will also be able to benefit from the underwater services that are provided by Albwardy Damen Diving, which has an extensive history in serving the marine industry since 1995. The workshop container is currently being fabricated and we look forward to delivering it to SOHAR.”

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

SOHAR Port and Freezone conducted yesterday-Monday, February 17, 2020- its Freezone gathering, titled, “SOHAR Freezone Links”, aimed to strengthen existing relationships between investors and partners in the Freezone, as well as reviewing the latest updates and regulations that assist them in performing their businesses.

Commenting on the launch of the Freezone Links, Omar Mahmood Al Mahrizi, CEO of SOHAR Freezone – DCEO of SOHAR Port said, “At SOHAR Port and Freezone, we are always keen on ensuring that we have robust relationships with our existing tenants and to support them by any means necessary. Organising this event comes in line with our objective of identifying the challenges that face our tenants and to provide them with suitable solutions. Furthermore, our collaboration with the Directorate General of Customs will further enhance their knowledge of the updates of the customs laws so that they will be able to enrich their offerings here at SOHAR. In this way, we can ensure that we continue on our path of growth and progress, to become a prominent logistics hub in the region.”

Freezone Links, which is organised every quarter, aims to create a platform between the management of SOHAR Freezone and its tenants. It is envisioned as a common space for discussion, exchanging of information and knowledge sharing, inquiries to specialists and the provision of appropriate solutions to ensure the continuity and seamlessness of tenant services. The event also showcased a presentation highlighting new solutions and initiatives implemented by the Government of Oman.

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

SOHAR Port and Freezone has recently been awarded the International Certificate of Asset Management System (ISO 55001) from Lloyd’s Register Group. The certification positions SOHAR as a forerunner in the sector, making it the first port in the Middle East to receive the accolade.

Highlighting the importance of this award, Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of SOHAR Port said, “We are very proud to have been awarded the ISO 55001 certification, which goes on demonstrate our commitment towards delivering only the best quality services to our customers as per their expectations and ensuring that the management and maintenance of our infrastructure aligns with international standards. We believe that the standard, which began its implementation at the end of 2018, will attract new business opportunities while simultaneously supporting the efficiency of our already existing tenants.”

TheISO 55001 is an international standard framework to manage port infrastructure. This is done by transforming an organisation’s objectives into asset-related decisions, plans and activities utilising a risk-based approach. Achieving this certification enhances and regulates the Asset Management processes at SOHAR, in terms of efficiency and effectiveness, through a structured approach that is linked to its organisational objectives. Furthermore, it undoubtedly contributes towards the development of SOHAR, reinforcing their reputation for constant improvement.

Eng. Ali Al Yamani, Executive Technical Manager at SOHAR Port and Freezone, stated, “I would like to extend my gratitude to all our employees and the project team for all their efforts in enabling us to receive the ISO 55001 certification. This is a truly incredible achievement and further positions SOHAR as a leading logistics hub in the region.”

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

Muscat, December 09, 2019: SOHAR Port and Freezone signed an agreement with Matrix Prime Logistics (FZC) on December 3, for the development of Phase 2 of the warehousing project, which commenced its operations in 2018. The agreement was signed between Omar Mahmood Al Mahrizi, CEO of the Freezone, representing SOHAR Freezone and Dawood Al Rajhi and Dr. Sahib Jasim, partners at Matrix Prime Logistics (FZC).

Phase 1 of Matrix Prime Logistics (FZC) saw an investment of over USD 1.7 million, offering customised warehousing solutions for different commercial, logistics and industrial activities. The smart designs of the warehouses allow tenants to select respective sizes and shapes that best suit their business needs. All warehouses have been designed and built to accommodate business flexibility and operational efficiency. In addition, Matrix Prime Logistics also provides services to accommodate a wide range of business requirements, including general trading “imports, exports and re-export”, warehousing, logistics, light manufacturing, spare parts warehousing and much more.

Commenting on the expansion, Omar Mahmood Al Mahrizi, said, “The signing of this agreement is a testament to the ongoing success of the existing projects in the Freezone. This, in turn, comes as a direct result of the company’s commitment to provide high-quality services and facilities to all investors to meet all their needs and ensure the growth of their projects. The availability of modern warehouses in the Freezone has contributed significantly in facilitating the logistics movement of goods between the port and the free zone, and this is an important factor for increasing the volume of goods coming to the port and thus to the Sultanate.”

Sahib Jasim stated, “We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to the management of SOHAR Freezone for the various services and benefits they provide to the tenants in line with their efforts to support operating companies. We are also proud to be able to contribute to the cross-industry principle that is promoted at SOHAR. Additionally, the second phase of our project is scheduled to have a construction duration of 100 days with an investment value of over USD 1.2 million. We have already begun marketing the new facilities and there is a high demand from clients to reserve their space.”

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

• An agreement was signed for the development of an OMR 2.5 million truck rest area
• SOHAR has created 10,836 direct job opportunities and contributed to 4.8% of Oman’s GDP
• The 15^th Anniversary SOHAR Port and Freezone Book, celebrating the people that have contributed to the company’s growth, was launched

SOHAR Port and Freezone celebrated its 15th Anniversary in a glittering ceremony at the Kempinski Hotel Muscat, on November 4, 2019. The event was conducted under the auspices of HE Dr Ahmed Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport, alongside the presence of distinguished Excellencies, Honourables, ministers, dignitaries, partners and members of the SOHAR Management.

Commenting on the event, HE Dr Ahmed Mohammed Al Futaisi said, “15 years since the inception of SOHAR, we are proud to have established a world-class port on the coasts of the Sultanate of Oman to serve the region and the world. SOHAR Port has become a pivotal part of the logistics sector in the Sultanate and a major import and export hub for both Oman and the regional countries. The port itself is a success story, with regard to several aspects. This especially includes its achievement of attracting large vessels and international investors, accommodating a variety of industries and handling a diverse range and size of general cargos, containers and other goods.”

HE Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of SOHAR Port and Freezone said, “SOHAR Port has created a remarkable footprint and made its presence recognised, both in the region and globally. We are also proud to be ranked as one of the fastest-growing port and free zones in the world, with investments exceeding OMR 10 billion. With our strategic geographical location, providing us access to global markets with an outreach of over 2 billion people, SOHAR Port has played a vital role in line with the national Logistics Strategy 2040. The strategy aims to place the transport sector as the second-highest source of national income alongside putting the Sultanate among the top ten countries for logistics performance by the year 2040.”

An integrated logistics facility

In line with the efforts to promote integrated logistics services, an agreement was signed, under the patronage of HE Dr Ahmed Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport, for the development of a truck rest area. The agreement was signed between HE Dr Mohammed Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of SOHAR Port and Freezone and Issa Mohammed Ali Al Barmani, Managing Director of Meena Investment Park LLC. The upcoming project will have a total investment of OMR 2.5 million and will take up an area of 50,000 sqm at SOHAR Freezone.

Initiated by the Ministry of Transport and spearheaded by ASYAD, the truck rest area will assist in promoting road safety after the significant increase in the number of trucks at the port. The area will offer an added value to the logistics infrastructure of SOHAR and to all its tenants from various road transport companies, through the provision of a dedicated area for truck drivers to take breaks during long journeys. Apart from streamlining logistics at SOHAR, it will also aid in saving transit time between destinations and reducing road congestion by preventing drivers from parking at the sides of the road and in residential areas. The importance of this project is also demonstrated by its role of unifying operators and tenants of both the Port and Freezone.

SOHAR vital statistics

Employees of the Port and Freezone paid tribute to the past and future of the SOHAR by narrating their personal memories. Additionally, a video highlighting the notable achievements of the company over the course of 15 years, comprising of invaluable insights from significant spokespeople, was revealed. The event concluded with the presentation of the first copy of the 15th Anniversary SOHAR Port and Freezone Book to the chief guest.

In addition to celebrating the people and achievements, the 15th Anniversary SOHAR Port and Freezone Book also highlighted key statistics about its contribution to Oman over the last 15 years. The throughput grew year on year reaching 61 million tonnes and the Port now handles over 3,400 vessels per year.

62% of Oman’s total imports entered through SOHAR in 2017, alongside 42% of the country’s exported volumes. In the same year, SOHAR also contributed to 4.8% of Oman’s total GDP.

The Port and Freezone is also a trailblazer for job creation. SOHAR has created 10,836 direct job opportunities, with the combined value for both direct and indirect employment amounting to 1.1% of the total number of workers in Oman, which has generated a combined added value of 1.3 billion in 2018.

A promising future

Mark Geilenkirchen said, “SOHAR Port and Freezone has always aimed to expand and reach out to important markets and reinforce relationships with investors from across the globe. Our well-established mission and vision have helped all of the members of the SOHAR family remain focused on delivering business excellence to clients, growing bonds of friendship with the local community and increasing our contribution to the diversification goals for our national economy. With several projects in the pipeline, we continue to grow and continually adapt, keeping ourselves updated with the latest developments and technologies. At SOHAR, we also strive to implement innovative solutions that prove beneficial not only to the organisation but also to the surrounding community.”

“Over the past 15 years, SOHAR has emerged as a global logistics and industrial hub. Looking ahead, we continue to align ourselves with Oman’s diversification and logistics strategies, attract foreign direct investment and increase employment and SME opportunities in Suhar. We are confident that by employing a young and capable workforce, while simultaneously investing in innovative solutions, we will be able to achieve our strategic objectives,” Omar Mahmood Al Mahrizi, DCEO of SOHAR Port and Freezone - CEO of the Freezone concluded.

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

SOHAR Port and Freezone signed a Land Lease Agreement for the establishing a quartz manufacturing plant on October 24 with Madhav Surfaces LLC, a joint venture between Al Khanjar Commercial Agencies LLC, a subsidiary of Khimji Ramdas LLC, and Madhav Ashok Ventures Private Limited (MAVPL) based in India.

The agreement was signed between HE Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of SOHAR Port and Freezone and Nailesh Khimji, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Madhav Surfaces LLC, representing Al Khanjar Commercial Agencies LLC.

This project is a continuation of the efforts of SOHAR Freezone to achieve its objectives by attracting various value added projects that contribute in increasing the economic returns and diversifying technology to drive sustainable development in the Sultanate. The plant will see a total capital investment of over OMR 3.8 million (USD 10 million) and will take up an area of 20,000 m2 at SOHAR Freezone. The facility will be primarily used for the manufacturing of quartz slabs and other quartz products using chrome ore and calcined lime from the local market, to be exported to the USA and Europe, alongside the polishing of quartz slabs.

Nailesh Khimji commented, “This agreement marks a new step in the success journey of our investments in the Sultanate, which enjoys a reputation as a stable country for potential projects and investments. The introduction of the new quartz plant will contribute towards the efforts of promoting the export of high-quality Omani products into international markets.”

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

SOHAR Port and Freezone has entered into an agreement with Gulf Alloys and Metals for the creation of a low carbon ferrochrome alloy production facility at SOHAR Freezone. The project will be capable of manufacturing of 10,000 MT per annum and is a part of the efforts of SOHAR to bring in new global investments.

The agreement was signed between HE Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of SOHAR Port and Freezone and Appala Satyanarayana Varma, owner of Gulf Alloys and Metals, representing the company.

The mining industry is one of the most promising sectors in the Sultanate. Therefore, there is great interest in developing it to increase its contribution to the GDP. In line with this framework, SOHAR Freezone seeks to attract new investments capable of providing local added value in this field, such as the upcoming ferrochrome alloy production facility. This new project is expected to pave the way for more investments in the future.

The OMR 3.5 million (USD 9 million) investment will occupy 37,000 m2 of land at SOHAR Freezone and will utilise chrome ore and calcined lime, sourced from local mines and plants, respectively. Low carbon ferrochrome is an alloy that consists of iron and chromium and is mainly used for stainless steel production. The finished product will also be used for the manufacturing of aircrafts, automobiles, equipment used in the extraction of oil and gas and related manufacturing industries and others. This facility will serve as a positive step towards enhancing in-country value, by boosting the competitiveness of SOHAR Freezone in bringing in new investments linked to the downstream of these industries.

“We are proud to be setting up at SOHAR Freezone and provide them with support in their economic diversification objectives. We hope that our presence will contribute to the promotion of other industrial activities in an integrated industrial environment, while simultaneously promoting sustainable development,” Appala Satyanarayana Varma concluded.

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

• Phase one construction has begun and with plans of subsequent phases in the pipeline

Muscat, October 10, 2019: SOHAR Port and Freezone, in collaboration with RFX Industrial Parks LLC, recently held a ground breaking ceremony to launch the Phase 1 onsite construction of the RFX Industrial Parks project. It will provide integrated services in the supply chain through strategic 3PL or 4PL partnerships. This represents a qualitative leap in the field of logistic services offered in the SOHAR Port and Freezone.

The event was conducted on October 8 at the RFX site in SOHAR Freezone. The Groundbreaking event was attended by members of the senior management of SOHAR and RFX Industrial Parks LLC.

The entire development will comprise up to 290,000m2 of leasable space, which will offer various logistics and light industrial size formats, including Box and Flex-log formats while also providing an easy solution of moving to larger units as tenants’ business expand. Phase one will cover 10,600m2 of leasable area and further phases will be developed based on a combination of pre-lease commitments and market demand.

Highlighting the importance of the ceremony, Omar Mahmood Al Mahrizi, CEO of SOHAR Freezone - DCEO of SOHAR Port said, “SOHAR has always been committed to providing its tenants with only the best quality services. The RFX Industrial Parks facility will give our tenants more opportunities to lease warehouses or light industrial units instead of having to build their own. Apart from supporting our existing tenants, this development will also have the potential to attract new investments and businesses to set up at SOHAR. This in turn will be pivotal in establishing SOHAR Freezone as a distribution hub for both the local and regional market.”

Mark Wrong, CEO of RFX Industrial Parks added, “We are proud to be working alongside SOHAR Port to deliver personalised industrial facilities to tenants that want to operate within SOHAR Freezone. Our flexible leasehold options allow tenants to reduce capital expenditure and take advantage of high-quality amenities and competitive rents. Our specialist logistics and industrial team are based at SOHAR overseeing the development of all phases and are available to discuss the specific requirements any new tenant may have, as well as showcase the several options we can offer.”

 

 

SOHAR Port and Freezone, recently held its official pilot boat inauguration ceremony on October 7 at the SOHAR administration building. The event took place under the patronage of HH Sayyida Hujaija Jaifer Al Said, Chairman of the Association for the Welfare of Handicapped Children, alongside the presence of Mrs. Esther Grootenboer and members of the senior management from SOHAR Port and Freezone.

Commenting on the ceremony, Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of SOHAR Port said, “Following our agreement with Svitzer in September last year to upgrade our pilot vessel fleet, we are proud to see these vessels set sail. The ceremony will reinforce the commitment of SOHAR to provide safe and efficient pilot services, which are a vital link in our operational capability and port competitiveness.”

Karim Cordahi, Country Manager of Svitzer Oman added, “As per our initial agreement which includes the provision of the pilot boats, we will also be responsible for the vessel maintenance and crew manning. This is based on a continuous 24-hour operational cycle to ensure a safe and efficient means of transport for marine pilots. At Svitzer, we adhere to only the highest level of safety to provide transport for the pilots from the boats to the vessels in a reliable and timely manner whilst strictly adhering to the HSSE and environmental standards set in place at SOHAR.”

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

SOHAR Port and Freezone signed land lease agreement for the establishment of a cement block products facility on October 20^th. The agreement was signed by H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of SOHAR Port and Freezone and Salim Khalfan Al Mamari, owner of the Wald Al-Qanas International (FZE) SPC.

Commenting on the importance of the new facility, Omar Mahmood Al Mahrizi, CEO of SOHAR Freezone - DCEO of SOHAR Port said, “In our journey towards becoming a key logistics hub in the region, we continue our endeavours to attract potential businesses to SOHAR. The investment made by Wald Al-Qanas International will witness the establishment of a project that is the first of its kind in the Freezone. Moreover, the by-products generated by other industries, such as the ferrochrome factories, can be used as feedstock for the new facility, thus reinforcing our principle of promoting downstream opportunities.”

The OMR 25 million local project will cover an area of 20,000 m2 at SOHAR Freezone. Apart from cement projects, the facility will also be used for the manufacture of white cement and other products. Additionally, it will see the export of products to the GCC and African markets.

Salim Khalfan Al Mamari stated, “We are proud to be setting up at the Freezone and to be able to contribute to the cross-industry principle that is promoted at SOHAR. Additionally, the unique upcoming new facility, will also play an important role in the creation of local job opportunities.”

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

• The agreement will see the planting of 600 trees in designated areas within the Port and Freezone

Muscat, July **, 2019: In line with its principle of promoting and incorporating sustainable initiatives in the surrounding community, SOHAR Port and Freezone recently entered into a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Sohar University and Qualies (the Organization for Quality and Innovation Strategies). The collaboration will see a tree planting initiative that will further the principle of ecological protection and management, alongside ensuring all the operations of SOHAR are in compliance with Oman’s sustainability objectives.

The signing ceremony took place on July 17 at the Sohar University, with Suwaid Al Shemaisi, Executive Manager of Corporate Affairs at SOHAR representing the Port and Freezone. After the signing, the attendees were taken for a small tour through Sohar University’s green house, where the twill be nurtured.

Highlighting the importance of the environmental project, Suwaid Al Shemaisi said, “At SOHAR, we are always looking for ways to implement modern solutions that help maintain a healthy, safe and secure environment for the community and nature itself. We are extremely proud to be working alongside Sohar University and Qualies on this fruitful endeavour, which will play a critical role in safeguarding the natural resources at SOHAR and creating a better future for generations to come.”

The green house is a comprehensive self-sufficient greenhouse facility housed at Sohar University. The unique project is capable of producing several varieties of plants, and harnesses state-of-the-art technologies to generate its own electricity and desalination processes through solar power. The seeds of native trees will be nurtured at the greenhouse by utilising hydroponic technologies. Upon reaching maturity, the budding florae will be transplanted to SOHAR using Groasis Waterboxxes, which will stimulate plant growth in harsh environments.

“Efficient environmental management is integral to every business to ensure its continuity. Together with Qualies’ knowledge and expertise in planting native tree species and the resources offered by Sohar University, we at SOHAR can continue making a positive impact on the environment. This venture will also further our journey towards becoming a greener port and free zone complex,” Al Shemaisi added.

The planting is expected to take place by the end of the year and will see close engagement with local schools and the community in Suhar.

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

 

Commenting on the importance of the Annual Herring Reception, Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of SOHAR Port and Freezone said, “SOHAR is always committed to building new relationships and strengthening our current ones. Today, we are playing a part in connecting our staff, partners and associates at SOHAR with the culture of the Netherlands, inviting them to join us in celebrating our traditions and experiences. The herring event is a great opportunity to showcase our gratitude and reaffirms Oman’s strong ties with the people of Holland, as well as the close relationship we have with our partner, the Port of Rotterdam.”

The first day of the annual herring fishing season signifies the arrival of the tasty ‘nieuwe maatjes’ herring delicacy from the clear waters of the Netherlands. Shipping agents and members of the SOHAR team joined in celebrating the traditional Dutch event.

Mark continued, “We were joined by the shipping agents who took part in our Annual Shipping Agents meeting earlier in the day, where we introduced new procedures and practices taking place at SOHAR. This is a clear indication of our active involvement in regularly connecting with our industry partners and stakeholders to update them on the latest developments and innovations at the Port and Freezone”

The Shipping Agents meeting kicked-off with the launch of SOHAR Navigate, a navigation tool showcasing the most efficient routes and port connections across the world, followed by several briefing sessions and workshop discussions. Agents shared insights on the latest industry trends and updates, and discussed innovative methods to attract additional business to SOHAR in the future.

 

Dear Colleagues,

We are extremely proud to announce the completion of the 8th edition of our Annual Summer School Programme.

The Summer School Programme is conducted every year and is aimed at providing school students with workshop-styled training similar to what is conducted at colleges. Additionally, the programme also provides them with courses in English, robotics, IT, photography, life skills and many others. This is implemented with the principle of preparing them for their entrance into higher education and improving their career job opportunities in the future.

The closing ceremony will be taking place at the International Maritime College Oman at 11am tomorrow and we would like to extend an invitation to you to join us for the same.

We look forward to seeing you there and being a part of this important occasion which will support the development of the community and contributes towards the fulfilment of the educational vision set by the Government of Oman.

Best Regards
SOHAR Port and Freezone Team

 

Muscat, May 1st, 2019: SOHAR Port and Freezone recently launched SOHAR Navigate, a unique online route planner, which provides information on available connections to hinterland destinations. The platform is the first of its kind in the region and will comprise of sea schedules connecting to 550 ports worldwide.

Commenting on the launch of the proprietary tool, Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of SOHAR Port and Freezone noted, “The Navigate platform was initially launched by our partner, Port of Rotterdam. It is considered the most comprehensive route planner of its kind. Capitalising on this technology, we have modified SOHAR Navigate to suit our regional and global stakeholders and provide them with outreach, as well as a user-friendly means to locate the most efficient and optimal routes for their activities. Users of SOHAR Navigate are able to plan routes from specific areas, via SOHAR, in an easy and convenient way.”

The platform takes into consideration the specified point of departure and the desired final destination, to offer the user several different routes. Based on modality and expected transportation time, users can then choose whichever option works best for them. The platform alsooffers extensive analysis tools and dashboards with relevant user data.

Anacin Kum, CEO of Hutchison Ports SOHAR added, “SOHAR Navigate has been developed especially for companies seeking smarter ways to plan their container transports.The launch of the beta version of this tool is a good first step and we are excited about its role in the global logistics market. With the addition of more operational data, SOHAR Navigate will become an increasingly valuable resource to improve efficiency within the supply chain. It will also provide visible and convenient options for local importer and exporter groups, who generally rely on logistic providers.”

SOHAR Navigate comprises of a business directory and the option to get in touch with any specific organisation, while also providing insight into the carbon footprint of any container transport. For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

 

•  The ceremony saw the establishment of four fixed stations and two mobile stations for air monitoring
•   The first of its kind comprehensive and integrated project for monitoring air quality
• Multiple workshops were also conducted to provide insight into the project

In line with its commitment to implement the directives of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Af fairs (MECA), which include enhancing environmental monitoring in and around the port and promoting effective environmental management, SOHAR Port and Freezone officially launched the Air Quality Monitoring Network (AQMN) Project. The ceremony took place on Wednesday, February 20, under the auspices of H.E Mohammed bin Salim al Tobi, Minister of Environment and Climate Affairs and in the presence of HE Dr. Mohammed bin Nasser Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of SOHAR Port and Freezone, Sheikh Mohana bin Saif Al Lamki, Governor of North Al Batinah and members of the Shura Council. Also in attendance were various representatives from the public sector as well as several SOHAR tenants.

The AQMN project is a first-of-its-kind comprehensive and integrated project in the Sultanate, which specialises in monitoring air quality at the Port and Freezone as well as in the surrounding areas. It was launched by Omani company, Nakheel Environmental and Industrial Solutions, in accordance with the Ministerial Decree No. 41/2017. The AQMN project consists of both fixed and mobile stations positioned at critical locations around the Port and Freezone. This is one of the key projects that will help ensure that the development of SOHAR is both sustainable and compliant with national and international environmental standards.

In his speech at the ceremony, Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of SOHAR Port and Freezone, stated that SOHAR remains staunchly committed to the protection of the environment, and the partnership with MECA was a great extension of this commitment, one that he said SOHAR hoped to continue well into the future. The ceremony also included a speech by Eng. Said Al Abdali, Director of Environment and Climate Affairs in North Batinah Governorate, wherein he spoke about MECA’s strategy in legislating laws and regulations to protect the environment and its natural resources, while simultaneously achieving the sustainable development objectives of environmental management.
The event saw the inauguration by the Minister of MECA and showcased the various stages of the project. A visit was also made to one of the stations, where the attendees were able to take a closer look at the advanced technologies used in the monitoring process. These technologies are connected to a central data management system at SOHAR so as to continuously collect data from the stations, including saving and analysing it automatically. The system is being linked with the Environmental Monitoring Centre at MECA to allow the Ministry to directly monitor the environmental situation of the area.

H.E Mohammed bin Salim al Tobi, Minister of Environment and Climate Affairs said, “MECA seeks to develop this model together with other industrial areas in the Sultanate. This is carried out in order to encourage and achieve closer environmental monitoring partnerships within the private sector. Our partnership with the Port and Freezone is a great example of a Public Private Partnership, due to its support from SOHAR tenants and execution by the Ministry. On behalf of MECA, I would like to extend my gratitude to SOHAR, as well as its tenants, for their cooperation in making the launch of this project a great success.”

Commenting on the importance of the launch of this project, HE Dr. Mohammed bin Nasser Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of SOHAR Port and Freezone said, “At SOHAR we believe that effective environmental management is vital for the sustainable development of any organisation. Therefore, the establishment of the AQMN project will drive integrated environmental monitoring, which will further reinforce our commitment of protecting the environment in and around the Port and Freezone. We are extremely proud to be working alongside MECA, to ensure that this unique solution and the respective technology is put to good use and hope to be a part of similar initiatives in the future.”
Ali Al Hussaini, General Manager of Nakheel Environmental and Industrial Solutions noted, “The engineering and technical design of the project’s stations has been implemented as per the standard specifications of the Air Quality Regulation issued by MECA. The installation and the trial operation of the fixed and mobile stations began in the last quarter of 2018 and has been live since the January 1, 2019.”

The official launch ceremony was preceded by a number of workshops presented by several speakers from MECA, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), DCMR, and HORIBA. These workshops focused on the best practices for air quality management and control.

• The signing will see the presence of a state-of–the-art MARPOL (Marine Pollution) waste discharge facility at the Port

SOHAR Port and Freezone signed an agreement with Oman Maritime Waste Treatment on December 23. The signing took place at the SOHAR Port and Freezone Head Office, and reinforces their commitment of incorporating environmentally friendly solutions and initiatives and promoting sustainable development in and around the Port and Freezone.

The agreement was signed between H.E. Dr Mohammed Nasser Ali Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board at SOHAR Port and Freezone and Pankaj Khimji, Director of Khimji Ramdas LLC. The partnership will see the creation of a full-fledged MARPOL-compliant facility for vessel waste disposal. The facility will also host multi-stage processing to comply with the most stringent standards of waste disposal, both at the anchorage area and within the port through a purpose-built vessel.

Highlighting the importance of the new facility, Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of SOHAR Port and Freezone noted, “SOHAR Port and Freezone strives to do its best in spreading awareness about the adverse effects of water pollution, alongside promoting solutions that could minimise the same. Given that MARPOL is an extremely significant international marine environmental convention, the upcoming project will further support our efforts of providing better facilities to our tenants and a safe environment to communities in and around SOHAR.”

Oman Maritime Waste Treatment is a joint venture between Khimji Ramdas LLC of Oman, Ramky Enviro Engineers Limited of India and Nature Group of The Netherlands, whose main objective is the collection and disposal of waste from ships in adherence to the ‘International Protocol of MARPOL’.

 Pankaj Khimji commented, “We are extremely glad to partner with SOHAR Port and Freezone in this initiative, especially one that is aimed at building and ensuring environment-friendly maritime operations in the Sultanate. It is a bold new step, continuing to pave a way to keep our oceans free of contamination and also allowing us to play our part in enhancing the quality of marine life in the region.”

“With the completion of the project, Oman will proudly present itself as one of the most advanced waste collection, disposal and treatment centres in maritime services in the world. This will subsequently drive our efforts in becoming one of the more prominent port and free zone complexes across the region,” Mark added.

• The new tugboats will provide safe and efficient navigation and manoeuvrability service

In cooperation with Svitzer, SOHAR Port and Freezone, recently signed a charter agreement for five new tugboat vessels to replace the existing SOHAR tugboat fleet and provide 24/7 operational support for vessel movements in and around the rapidly expanding port. The marine service agreement was signed at the annual business reception on January 23, with Dr Mohammed Nasser Ali Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board at SOHAR Port and Freezone, representing SOHAR, and Mrs. Henriette Hallberg Thygesen of Svitzer Oman, representing Svitzer.

Commenting on the importance of the new tugboats, Mark Geilenkirchen said, “SOHAR Port and Freezone has seen significant growth in port operations and vessel calls over the course of 2018. To keep up with the ever-increasing developments, the provision of tugboats for safe and efficient navigation is vital for our operational capability. According to this agreement, Svitver will be responsible for supplying, manning, managing, operating and maintaining five tugboats at SOHAR on a continuous 24 hour operational cycle to ensure safe manoeuvrability for incoming vessels. This also includes the provision of the tugboats, maintenance and the presence of skilled sailing crew, whilst simultaneously adhering to the HSSE and environmental standards in place at SOHAR. We are extremely proud to be collaborating with Svitzer once again, which is the leading provider of marine services with over 430 vessels in operation globally. ”

A tugboat is a type of vessel that helps move other vessels by either pushing or pulling them by direct contact or a tow line. Tugboats are generally used to assist vessels that are restricted in their ability to manoeuvre on their own, such as in the case of ships in a crowded harbour or a narrow canal, or to move stationary vessels, like barges.
Mrs. Henriette Hallberg Thygesen stated, “Svitzer is globally renowned for being able to mitigate the harshest weather conditions, alongside being able to moderate any unforeseen circumstance at sea. We are committed to always provide assistance to our clients in any scenario. In line with this commitment and together with SOHAR Port and Freezone, we seek to provide reliable and safe navigation for vessels, as and when it is needed, while maintaining only the highest safety standards.”

The contract will have a duration period of 15 years with the delivery of the first tugboats expected on August 1, 2020.
With roots stretching back nearly two centuries, Svitzer has provided safety and support at sea through globally renowned operations. A specialist in emergency preparedness & response, wreck removal, and offshore decommissioning, the company boasts a global network to deliver delivering safe, economical and innovative maritime solutions. With over 4,000 employees, a fleet of 430 vessels, an experience of 180 years, and a strong heritage, Svitzer is the global market leader in towage and emergency response.

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

SOHAR Port and Freezone is proud to sponsor the highly anticipated annual Oman Open Golf Tournament. The event will take place at Al-Mouj Golf from February 28 to March 3 and will see renowned golfers, including 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie, Ryder Cup stars Robert Karlsson, Thomas Bjørn, Chris Wood and Stephen Gallacher, alongside last year’s defending champion, Joost Luiten.

In line with its ‘Get Sohar Active’ initiative, SOHAR is collaborating with the organisers, Oman Golf Committee, to provide transport for 20 children from Sohar alongside their families to the event. This sponsorship will see SOHAR continue to reinforce its commitment towards engaging the local community in healthy lifestyle initiatives throughout the year.

Commenting on the importance of their participation, Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO SOHAR Port and Freezone said, “We are always looking out for ways to help motivate the local community in embracing an active lifestyle, and our sponsorship only helps extend these ideals. We are very proud to be a part of the event and know that a number of the visitors are from our community at Sohar. As we progress through the year, we seek to further similar initiatives, so as to be able to promote the benefits of good fitness, dedication and hard work within our local community.”

The Oman Open Golf Tournament, which was successfully played as NBO Open last year, continues to make Oman one of its destinations as part of the European Tour. Initially organised in 2013, it has become one of Oman’s biggest ever sporting events and attracts renowned golfers from across the globe. Al Mouj Golf has also played host to several professional golf tournaments, such as the European Challenge Tour between 2013 and 2017.

The ‘Get Sohar Active’ comprises of several activities for the whole community, including six training sessions for adults and children at the Sohar Sports Stadium throughout the year, together with nutrition and health information. The first session was conducted on January 12, facilitated by Alpha Movement Specialist. SOHAR will also be providing designated running routes of 5km and 10km set out around the port and free zone for local runners to utilise.

The Oman Open golf tournament will be open from 9.00am to 6.00pm and has free entrance for all visitors. There will also be a kid’s village, filled with fun activities for children throughout the day.

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

 

SOHAR Port and Freezone commenced the year of its 15th anniversary with its annual Business Reception held at The Chedi Muscat on Wednesday, January 23. During the event, SOHAR revealed its operating results for 2018, looked back over its 15 years of double digit growth and entered into new partnership agreements signalling a strong start to 2019. The event was attended by members of the management team, alongside SOHAR employees, strategic partners and valued customers.

In 2018, SOHAR witnessed yet another year of consistent growth with an average of 1.2 million tonnes of cargo handled by the port every week in 2018, and has also set new records in both vessel calls and cargo throughput. Dry bulk and liquid bulk throughput increased by 14% as compared to 2017 and SOHAR received 3,464 vessel calls in 2018, marking a significant increase of more than 12%.
Signalling a positive start to 2019, SOHAR did not wait to ensure that new partnerships were forged and growth at the Port and Freezone continued. SOHAR entered into two partnership agreements, the first was with Mannesmann and the second with Oman Maritime Waste Treatment.

The collaboration with Mannesmann will see the creation of Calcined Petroleum Coke (CPC) and Recarburizer Calcined Coke (RPC) plants on 30ha of land at the Port. This is one the first projects that will be built in the reclaimed area of the Port, and will add value to both the aluminium and steel industries within SOHAR.

The agreement with Oman Maritime Water Treatment, which is a joint venture between Khimji Ramdas LLC in Oman, Ramky Enviro Engineers Limited in India and Nature Group of the Netherlands, will see the construction of a full-fledged International Protocol of Marine Pollution (MARPOL) compliant facility at the Port. This is done to ensure that ship waste collection and disposal are carried out in compliance with MARPOL. As of January 2018, all countries that are signatories to MARPOL must adhere to its requirements.

SOHAR also signed an agreement to replace its existing tug boats. According to the agreement, five existing vessels that provide towage services for all the vessels entering and exiting the port safely and in an efficient way, will be replaced. The scope of the contract entails the supply, manning, management, operation and maintenance of the five tugboats based on 24 hour operations. The contract will have a duration period of 15 years, and delivery of the first tugboats is expected on the 1st of August 2020.

Over the past year, SOHAR did not only witness capacity growth, but the Port itself grew in size owing to the SOHAR Port South expansion. In 2018, 50 hectares of land was added to the current capacity of 2,000 hectares in the first phase of the expansion and a further 200 hectares will be added in subsequent phases.

“Earlier this year, we signed an agreement with Dredging International NV for the development of the first phase of SOHAR Port South,” Mark Geilenkirchen noted. “This expansion is vital for SOHAR and has been steered by our rapid growth; it will be assigned almost exclusively for oil and gas-based investments. The SOHAR Port South Development will lead us to an increase in trade flows to the Sultanate and will encourage shipping lines to make more direct calls to the Port, thus opening the doors of opportunity to a larger group of potential customers in the future. The additional land area will significantly boost our ability to handle greater volumes of cargo traffic and simultaneously create new and sustainable jobs in SOHAR.”

“An achievement I would very much like to highlight is our partnership with Marafi Sohar for the creation and operation of new high-capacity mineral aggregate terminal at the Port. The new development is expected to generate more market opportunities since SOHAR is ideally equipped to develop high-capacity aggregate facilities, especially when you consider most of the quarries producing mineral aggregate are in close proximity to the port. As a result, we can provide easy access for export, which is a great opportunity for development,” Mark added.

Apart from fuel products, the refinery in SOHAR also produces significant volumes of naphtha and propylene, which serve as feedstock for an adjoining aromatics and polypropylene plant. The deep-water berths allow for raw materials such as iron ore to be easily received, ensuring smooth primary and secondary production processes.

“The Food Cluster at SOHAR has arguably been one of our most prominent projects, especially given the massive potential of the food industry, both in upstream and downstream businesses. This project will drive further integration between the port and free zone complex. The aim of this cluster is to promote the entire value chain of food processing and logistics support within the expanding multibillion-dollar regional food industry. In addition to the new flour mill and grain silo complex, the SOHAR food cluster will also house a sugar refinery, with packaging and distribution facilities planned in the future. The cluster will enable us to attract significant business in the coming years and is complemented by a dedicated deep-water berth and agro-terminal for the fast and efficient movement of foodstuffs within the Port,” Mark Geilenkirchen added.

Commenting on the growth in the Freezone, Jamal Aziz states, “The increase in businesses plays a significant role in Port development. The number of cargo volumes directly tie in with the various investments that are currently present at SOHAR Port and Freezone. The Freezone hosts a multitude of companies not only from Oman, but also from the GCC, the Indian sub-continent, Asia and Europe. These exceptional companies are experienced in the industrial and logistics sectors, and have established a competitive advantage in SOHAR by offering lower operating costs, energy-saving systems, and providing quick and easy land lease options, which include pre-built warehouses and commercial offices. Moreover, all our tenants can avail of our One-Stop-Shop approach, which provides a simplified method of setting up businesses, and our unique feature of hosting an entire supply chain in a single easily accessible area.”

“Additionally, we are also promoting the consolidation of shipping cargo for smaller players in the Freezone, many of whom currently transport their cargo over land to other port destinations in the region. Providing more practical options for cargo consolidation reduces unnecessary delays and helps increase cargo volumes. Our much larger upcoming projects include new ferrochrome smelters that are under construction in the Freezone. This will be accompanied by the second biggest antimony plant of its kind in the world, and the creation of the SOHAR Cotton Cluster. SOHAR has also recently concluded an agreement for the creation of a petroleum coke calciner plant in the Freezone, where raw petroleum coke will be used as feedstock for downstream petrochemical industries," Jamal Aziz concluded.

SOHAR continues to adapt, staying abreast of the latest developments and creating innovative ways to maximise efficiency and utilise cleaner energy. With many upcoming projects, investments and potential business opportunities, SOHAR has set its focus on the implementation of better, smarter solutions for the benefit of the community, the nation and all its citizens.

MMEC Mannesmann, a leading German engineering contractor in the field of petroleum coke calcining partners with ACWA Power, the leading developer, owner, and operator of power generation and water desalination plants, to develop the ‘Sohar Calciner’ project in Oman. The state-of-the-art plant will be the first of its kind in Oman and will aim to supply Oman’s aluminum industry with calcined coke.

The ‘Sohar Calciner’ project will produce calcined coke to the local Aluminum industry and, upon completion of its first phase, will enable the production of 1.1 million tons of Aluminum annually and 2.2 million tons by completion of the second phase. Combining MMEC Mannesmann’s expertise and best practice in design and construction of Petroleum Coke Calciner plants, and ACWA Power’s know-how in efficiently utilizing waste heat to generate power and water, the environment friendly project is expected to see remarkable results and contribute towards the country’s economic growth. The plant will also secure calcined coke supply globally and to the local GCC market.

The Sohar Calciner, will benefit from the well-established and proven regional capability of MMEC Mannesmann through its experience in the implementation of calcination plants in Bahrain and the UAE.

‘Sohar Calciner’ will create job opportunities in Oman, offering 130 jobs including at least 100 Omanis, and would employ up to 3,000 people during periods of peak construction. The project will bring the most advanced and best available calcining technologies to Oman and shall contribute to the development of Omani engineering talent.

Expressing his delight, Mohammed Abunayyan, Chairman of ACWA Power, said: “ACWA Power is at the heart of changing the energy landscape and remain committed to collaborating with partners and stakeholders to have positive impact on industries, particularly energy intensive industries, and in communities we invest and operate in. We are proud to be working closely with the renowned international company, MMEC Mannesmann, to expand industrial activity in Oman, and contribute towards the country’s economic growth and diversification agenda.”

“The Sohar Calciner plant, marks the development of the first industrial project in the newly reclaimed area in Sohar which enables the development of the area for future industries.”

Commenting on the occasion, Oliver Apelt, CEO of MMEC Mannesmann, said: “We are delighted to work alongside ACWA Power and SIPC to create a milestone in Oman’s and the GCC’s history – making the region’s Aluminum industry more self-sufficient. We will bring forward our insight and expertise to build the Sohar Calciner plant to the highest-standards and using the best available environmentally safe technology, delivering a cost competitive plant.”

About ACWA Power:

ACWA Power is a developer, investor and operator of a portfolio of power generation and desalinated water production plants currently with presence in 11 countries including in the Middle East and North Africa, Southern Africa and South East Asia regions. ACWA Power’s portfolio, with an investment value in excess of USD 30 billion, can generate 29+ GW of power and produce 3.9 million m3 /day of desalinated water to be mostly delivered on a bulk basis to state utilities and industrial majors on long term off-take contracts under Public-Private-Partnership, Concession and Utility Services Outsourcing models.

ACWA Power, registered and head-quartered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is owned by eight Saudi conglomerates, Sanabil Direct Investment Company (owned by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia), the Saudi Public Pensions Agency and the International Finance Corporation (a member of the World Bank Group).

ACWA Power pursues a mission to reliably deliver electricity and desalinated water at a low cost, thereby contributing to the social and economic development of the communities and countries it invests in and serves.

ACWA Power strives to achieve success by adhering to the values of Safety, People and Performance in operating its business.

ACWA Power is currently functional in Oman and contributes to boosting the power grid. The company’s investments in Oman include Barka I IWPP (delivering 445 MW of electricity and 42.5 MIGD of water) and Salalah 2 IPP, a greenfield development with high efficiencygas fired power generation plant, located in Raysut, Oman that delivers 445 MW of power. ACWA Power is also part of a consortium to construct the Sohar 3 IPP in and Ibri IPP in Oman.

For more information, visit www.acwapower.com

About MMEC Mannesmann:

MMEC Mannesmann is an independent German engineering contractor offering to its customers the full chain of services starting at conceptual study and feasibility project phases up to the project implementation phases.

MMEC Mannesmann is a fully integrated General Contractor for clients in diverse industries in Germany and around the world. On a collaborative basis with customers, partners and suppliers, MMEC Mannesmann builds long-term trustful relationships and implement projects in a broad portfolio. The field of activities ranges from oil & gas, chemicals, metals & minerals to renewables.

MMEC Mannesmann’s experts constantly offer the most innovative technologies and best solutions to the clients to optimize their investments and meet the world’s energy challenges.

MMEC Mannesmann’s mission is to deliver safe, sustainable and quality projects across the world.

For more information, visit www.mmec-mannesmann.com

• SOHAR Port and Freezone arranged for the participation of 500 children from Sohar in the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon as part of its Get Sohar Active campaign

In line with its staunch commitment to engage the local community in embracing health and wellness, SOHAR Port and Freezone has joined forces with Oman Sail and the Directorate General of Education in North Batinah region to bring 500 school children to participate in the Kid’s Run at the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon this weekend. Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of SOHAR Port and Freezone, fired the starting pistol to commence the Kids’ Race, which took place on Saturday, January 19. This activity is part of the larger Get Sohar Active initiative, which SOHAR is driving throughout the year.

“It was very inspirational to see the thousands of young children that were excited to participate in the Kid’s Run. Firing the starting pistol with the knowledge that 500 of those kids came from our community at Sohar was very empowering. These are our future leaders of tomorrow, and instilling a responsibility for their health at an early age will provide some very important lessons later in their lives,” said Mark.

Commenting on the importance of their participation, Suwaid Al Shamaisi, Executive Manager Corporate Affairs at SOHAR Port and Freezone said, “We seek to motivate the local community to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle by implementing several initiatives in line with ‘Get Sohar Active’. The initiative comprises of several activities for the whole community, including six training sessions for adults and children at the Sohar Sports Stadium throughout the year, together with nutrition and health information. Our aim is to ingrain a culture of health and wellness within our local community.”

The first Get Sohar Active session was conducted on January 12, and facilitated by Alpha Movement Specialist. The objective of the session was to prepare the people who were participating for the upcoming marathon. To further inspire running in the community, SOHAR will also provide designated running routes of 5km and 10km set out around the port and free zone for local runners.

“The Al Mouj Marathon was a perfect platform for us to showcase our support for the health and well-being of all the citizens of the country as well as providing an insight into the benefits of good fitness, dedication and hard work,” Suwaid added.

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

 

SOHAR Port and Freezone and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on November 18, at the MECA Head Office in Muscat. The MoU details a long-term strategic programme between SOHAR and MECA for the continuous enhancement of environmental management in the SOHAR area. The programme focuses on environmental permitting, compliance of all Port and Freezone operations with international best practices and continuous monitoring of the impact of operations on the environment.

The MoU was signed by HE Najeeb bin Ali Al Rawas, Undersecretary of MECA, and HE Dr. Mohammed bin Nasser Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of SOHAR.

Highlighting the importance of effective environmental management, HE Najeeb bin Ali Al Rawas said, “The application of this programme will greatly contribute towards ensuring that all the operations within SOHAR adhere to international standards. The Ministry is pleased to join hands with SOHAR to drive the importance of environmental management for other industrial players throughout Oman. When it comes to the protection of our environment, we all have a role to play.”

HE Dr. Mohammed bin Nasser Al Zaabi noted, “At SOHAR, we are continuously renewing our commitment towards maintaining a healthy, safe, and secure environment for our industries, our surrounding community, and nature itself. Effective environmental management is an essential element to sustain the development of any business, and we at SOHAR believe the same. Therefore, this new integrated and systematic environmental management approach will be critical in safeguarding the sustainable development of the Port and Freezone.”

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

 

Contract signed for installation of Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network at SOHAR

Muscat, July 8, 2018| SOHAR Port and Freezone in cooperation with SOHAR tenants signed a contract with the Omani company, Nakheel Environmental and Industrial Solutions, on Wednesday July ₄th 2018 at Muscat office, to install, operate, and maintain an Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network (AQMN) within SOHAR area as part of implementing Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA) intention to enhance the environmental monitoring in SOHAR area. Mark Geilenkirchen, the CEO of SOHAR Port, signed the agreement on behalf of SOHAR while Nakheel was represented by its GM, Ali Al Hussaini. Installation of the AQMN will start immediately and the system is expected to be operational by quarter four of 2018.

Commenting on the reasoning behind the project, Mark Geilenkirchen said, “Good environmental management is an essential element to sustain the development at SOHAR, therefore the monitoring of the environmental impact on the surrounding area is very important. In addition, the establishment of AQMN is the actual beginning of the integrated environmental monitoring, which will contribute to protect the environment within and around SOHAR. We are proud to have an Omani company that is equipped with the required skills, technology, and expertise to provide us with such a solution.”

The AQMN project will consist of a combination of fixed and mobile stations positioned at critical locations surrounding the Port and Freezone. The location selected carefully using the result from air dispersion modelling by Lakes Environmental Software “AERMOD” which was conducted in coordination with MECA and SOHAR relevant tenants. The AQMN will measure, in real time, the ambient air quality surrounding SOHAR. The AQMN is one of the key projects that will help to ensure that the development of the Port and Freezone is sustainable and complying with the national and international environmental standards.

The AQMN is part of a long term strategic program that commenced in 2017 and executed by the SOHAR Port and Freezone, in close cooperation with MECA; which aims to continuously enhance the environmental management in the area. This program focusses on environmental permitting, compliance of all Port and Freezone operations with Best International Practices and continuous monitoring of the impact of the operations on the environment including water, soil, and air.

Ahmed Bin Zaher Al Hinai, Director General of Environmental Affairs at MECA, said: "The Ministry is working in line with the requirements of each stage of the development and continues in its efforts aimed to improve and develop the environmental management in coordination with its partners in various fields. The AQMN project is to strengthen the environmental monitoring system in SOHAR, as it will provide an integrated data on ambient air quality which is directly connected to MECA monitoring system and will replace largely the ambient air monitoring stations installed by individual tenants, which are often installed within the premises of the tenants. He also mentioned that MECA is continuing to disseminate and develop this model in coordination with other industrial areas within OMAN to achieve the principle of partnership in environmental monitoring with the private sectors. Finally, he appreciated the cooperation of SOHAR as well as SOHAR tenants to make this model a success".

The project is a great example of Public Private Partnership because the project is supported and financed by SOHAR tenants and will be executed in close coordination with MECA.

“The development of the AQMN is great news for the local community surrounding SOHAR area, as it represents the continuation of the efforts being made by SOHAR in cooperation with MECA and SOHAR tenants to enhance the environmental monitoring in the area. Nakheel will work on installing fixed and mobile stations for monitoring of ambient air quality, using state-of-the-art technologies that are in line with United States Environmental Protection Agency standards. These technologies will also be connected to the Central Data Management System at SOHAR in order to instantly read, record, and analyse the data collected. Also, this system will be connected with MECA’s monitoring centre in order to enable MECA to check environmental status of SOHAR directly. I am proud to announce that the AQMN at SOHAR will be the first-of-its-kind in the Sultanate,” added by Ali Al Hussaini.

Nakheel Environmental & Industrial Solutions, is a company established in partnership with Enviro’ & Industrial Solutions ME, which aims to deliver the best, innovative, industry-leading and cost-effective Environmental and Air Quality Monitoring and Industrial Processes Optimisation Solutions in Oman and Qatar.

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

 

Keeping in line with its commitment of developing a strong community presence as well as to support Oman’s economic diversification objectives, SOHAR Port and Freezone will soon be organising their seventh Annual Summer School Programme. Under the supervision of the Directorate General of Education in the Governorate of North Al Batinah and in partnership with the Ministry of Education, this programme will run from July 1 to 19, at the International Maritime College Oman (IMCO) in Sohar.

The Annual Summer Programme will see school students of grade 11 receiving workshop-styled training, similar to what is provided in colleges of higher education. The main reason for the focus on students of grade 11, is to prepare them for their subsequent entrance into higher education. This year’s programme will also include schools from Shinas and Saham, alongside others in Sohar and Liwa; an indication of our gradual extension to other areas in the Al Batinah North Governorate.The students will also be provided with an intensive program in English, similar to that of IELTS, in order to boost their proficiency in English.

 

On 25 June, the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) marks the annual Day of the Seafarer, celebrating the unique contribution made by seafarers to the world. We, at SOHAR Port and Freezone, take this opportunity to give a special “THANK YOU” to all the seafarers in the world for the tremendous work they do!

 

Muscat, June 13, 2018| The final match between Orpic C and Orpic B took place on June 12, at the Al Arabi Sports and Cultural Stadium. After a fierce match between the two teams, Orpic C emerged victorious and were crowned the champions of SOHAR Cup 2018.

The event saw the winners’ trophies and runner-up prizes presented by H.E Sheikh Dr. Said bin Humaid bin Abdullah Al Harthy, Wali of Liwa

Facing harsh competition over the previous weeks, both teams had notable performances before their final face-off. Orpic C defeated Orpic B, who were the winners of last year’s tournament, with a score of 2-1.

The first annual tournament, which took place in 2007, was initiated to celebrate the principles of teamwork and health during the Holy Month of Ramadan. With over 60 matches taking place over the course of the tournament, and 32 teams represented by tenants, contractors and subcontractors of SOHAR Port and Freezone, the tournament is combination of stamina and endurance, teamwork and level of skill. A total of 400 people participated in the tournament, including players, referees, coaches, and administrators.

Subsequently, after the official trophy presentation, awards were handed over to a number of exceptional players. This included the awards for the best player, top scorer, and best goalkeeper of the tournament.

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

 

Agreement see the development and operation of a new aggregate terminal at SOHAR Port

Muscat, May 30, 2018: Highlighting the rapid growth in Oman’s aggregate market, Marafi SOHAR has joined hands with SOHAR Port and Freezone to develop and operate a new high-capacity mineral aggregate terminal at the port. The Agreement was formalised between SOHAR and Marafi on May 23, at SOHAR Port and Freezone branch office in Muscat. SOHAR CEO, Mark Geilenkirchen, signed the agreement with Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Abri, representing Marafi SOHAR.

Highlighting the market opportunities generated by the new development, Mark Geilenkirchen said, “SOHAR is ideally equipped to develop high-capacity aggregate facilities, especially when you consider most of the quarries producing mineral aggregate are in close proximity to the port. As a result, the port provides easy access for export and a great opportunity for development. We are proud to join hands with such a forward thinking company as Marafi SOHAR, who has a long-term strategy in place to expand their horizons internationally, through business partnerships and relations, with SOHAR as their gateway to the gulf and beyond.”

The key proposal will utilise the Bulk Terminal No. 25 at SOHAR Port and will have one stockpile yard giving a total area of around 200,000 sqm. This phase will take around 20 months to develop. In the meantime and given the lucrative short-term opportunity, a temporary hybrid solution will be established to allow aggregate export within only 16 weeks of the sub-usufruct agreement date.

The hybrid solution will be located on Terminal 2D with total area around 100,000 sqm and will see the installation of two mobile ship loaders with a capacity of 750 MT/hour and a third one as a spare unit. Additionally, the yard will be prepared to receive three separate stock piles of two-grades each and the installation of two weigh bridges. The initial phase will see all the necessary equipment required being brought to the site.

The expected time frame to start barge loading will be eight weeks from the signing agreement for phase-1; and about 16 weeks for phase-2, which will involve both Vessel and barge loading. In total, our loading capacity will be approximately eight million tons per year.

Marafi SOHAR is a newly established subsidiary and investing arm of Asyad. As part of the Port Operations and Management Company’s vision to transform Oman into one of the top 10 Global Logistics Hubs. It also seeks to develop the port and forge global business relationships.

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

 

Partnership will promote road safety awareness, aims to reduce accident rates in Oman

Muscat, May 27, 2018: SOHAR Port and Freezone have joined hands with the Oman Society for Petroleum Services (OPAL), to promote road safety awareness and safe driving techniques, and to collaborate on the adoption of OPAL Road Safety Standards in the Port and Freezone area.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on May 20, at The Head office of SOHAR Port and Freezone in Muscat. The agreement was signed by the CEO SOHAR Port, Mark Geilenkirchen and CEO SOHAR Freezone and DCEO SOHAR Port, Jamal Aziz, on behalf of SOHAR, while the CEO, Musallam Al Mandhari, represented OPAL.

Highlighting the importance of maintaining safe driving practices at all times, Suwaid Al Shamaisi, the Executive Manager Corporate Affairs at SOHAR Port and Freezone noted, “SOHAR Port and Freezone is committed to maintaining a healthy, safe, and secure environment for our industries, our surrounding community, and nature itself. Additionally, SOHAR continues to upgrade its rules and regulations to match the latest global standards. Our traffic safety protocols are quite strict and will be further enhanced through this agreement. Together with the support of OPAL, the application of the Road Safety Standard will greatly contribute to reducing traffic incidents, to ensure the well-being of all our staff, stakeholders and society at large.”

The Oman Society for Petroleum Services (OPAL) is the first society in Oman’s Petroleum Industry to be officially approved and established in the Sultanate of Oman. It was launched on October 27, 2001 under the Ministry of Social Development. OPAL started as a concept in 1998, wherein like-minded companies embarked on a mission to promote industry standards and create a level playing field.

Musallam Al Mandhari commented, “At OPAL, we aim to provide and promote best-practice workplace competence and professionalism under one roof. We strive to raise the standards of the Oman Petroleum Industry and related industries to a level that is world class, internationally competitive, and optimally utilises industrial resources; while at the same time being mindful of their respective business interests.”

“Additionally, OPAL will be forming an implementation committee together with our users within the Port. It will integrate relevant components of the Road Safety Standards with SOHAR’s Rules and Regulations, thus creating an overall risk-free environment for the Sultanate in the long-run.” Suwaid Al Shamaisi concluded.

OPAL is a non-profit organization, which is also the industry forum society for Oman’s Petroleum Industry. It has over 400 members, which comprise of several Oil & Gas companies, including large and small Oil & Gas producers and operators, contractors, and suppliers.

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

 

Under the patronage of the Governor of North Al Batinah Governorate SOHAR sponsored the award ceremony Sohar schools’ students, who scored high grades during the academic year 2017-2018. The ceremony came as annual celebration on the well done performance of the students to urge continue their hard study for prosperous future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agreement highlights rapid growth of the food and agriculture sector in Oman

Muscat, April 16, 2018| Highlighting the growing emphasis on national food security, SOHAR Port and Freezone have signed an agreement with Sohar Flour Mills (SFM) for the lease of a 10-hectare plot within the Port area for the construction and management of 12 grain storage silos, each boasting a storage capacity of 13000 tonnes. Under the terms of the agreement, Sohar Flour Mill will also oversee the construction and development of a new agro bulk terminal and deep water berth which will be dedicated to handling the rapidly growing volumes of agro commodities moving through SOHAR Port.

The Sub-usufruct Agreement (SUA) was signed on 11 April at a ceremony held at SOHAR Port and Freezone offices. Signing the agreement on behalf of SOHAR was the CEO, Mark Geilenkirchen & DCEO, Jamal Aziz; while Sohar Flour Mills were represented by Khamis Abdullah Al Farsi, the Chairman of the Board, and Director, Ali Habaj.

Highlighting the growing role played by the food sector at SOHAR Port and Freezone, Mark Geilenkirchen noted, “Enhancing the nation’s food security has been a matter of great focus for the government in recent years. Aligning with Oman’s National Food Security Strategy, we moved to set up a dedicated ‘Food Cluster’ within SOHAR, which essentially forms the basis for an entire up-stream and down-stream food production, packaging and distribution eco-system. The construction of these large capacity Grain Silos certainly highlights the rapid growth and development of the food and agriculture sector in Sohar, and aligns with the country’s continued economic diversification efforts.”

Established in 1977, Sohar Flour Mills is a partnership between Atyab Investments, wholly-owned by Oman Flour Mills (OFM), and Essa Al Ghurair Investments based in UAE. The company has already invested in a state-of-the-art OMR 15 million flour mill located at the port, which is expected to become operational by Q3 2018. In its first phase, the facility will have a wheat milling capacity of 550 metric tonnes per day with a potential to expand to 2000 metric tonnes per day in later phases. The mill will also be capable of producing all types of specialty flours to cater to the different regions of Oman as well as developing exports to the GCC and other international markets.

“In order to support our operations as well as those of the SOHAR food cluster as a whole, we will soon be constructing Oman’s first Agro bulk terminal at the port, which will be complemented by the new Grain Silo complex. The terminal will be dedicated to the import and export of agricultural bulk – wheat, rice, barley, and other grains, and will be able to load and unload grain at a rate of 600 tonnes an hour. Regulated by the Public Authority for Stores and Food Reserve, the new Grain Silo Complex will be located next to the flour mill and will include 12 silos, each with a capacity of 13000 tonnes,” said Khamis Abdullah Al Farsi.

With a dedicated agro bulk terminal and the adjoining agro cluster, the SOHAR Port food cluster is a first-of-its-kind cluster dedicated to the food and agro sector in the region. The aim of the cluster is to promote the entire value chain of food processing and logistics support within the expanding multibillion-dollar regional food industry. In addition to the new flour mill and grain silo complex, the SOHAR food cluster will also house of a sugar refinery; with added-value food production, packaging and distribution facilities planned to follow.

“Keeping in line with the SOHAR motto ‘It all starts here’, we are charting our own course to develop and grow SOHAR. Our continued growth within the food and agro sector underlines the fact that SOHAR is emerging as one of the central hubs in the region for industry and logistics.” Mark Geilenkirchen concluded.

For more information on SOHAR Port and Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com

 

• Announces another year of significant growth and major projects for 2018

Muscat, January 28 2018 | SOHAR Port and Freezone on Wednesday, January 24, hosted its annual Business Reception at The Chedi in Muscat, and revealed its operating results for 2017. Despite volatility in the global maritime sector, SOHAR once again posted a year of consistent growth with an average of over one million tonnes of cargo handled by the port every week in 2017. Container traffic was up by 36% compared to 2016, dry bulk throughput increased by 25% year-on-year. SOHAR received 3,075 vessel calls in 2017, marking a significant increase of 17%, despite the continued global trend towards consolidation and larger ships.

One of the major highlights for SOHAR in 2017 was the establishment of a 40-hectare food cluster at the port which will include a major flour mill, a world-class sugar refinery, and a grain silo complex. The former, operated by Sohar Flour Mills will have a capacity of 500 tonnes per day, while the planned sugar refinery, owned and operated by the Oman Sugar Refinery Company, will boast a production capacity of one-million tonnes per annum. SOHAR now operates a terminal at the port dedicated exclusively for the food cluster.

“We are pleased to report another year of solid growth for SOHAR Port and Freezone. In 2017 we focused strongly on the food sector and were able to attract significant public and private sector investments to the cluster. Our focus on this field enabled us to capture a larger slice of the food products cargo trade in the region,” said Mark Geilenkirchen, Chief Executive Officer of SOHAR Port and Freezone. “This is aided by the steady growth in aggregate cargo volumes and investments at the port, such as the upcoming port SOHAR Port South expansion, which is set to deliver additional cargo capacity and attract significantly more business.”

Launched in 2017 and now nearing completion, the Sohar Port South expansion will add new deep-water berths and a further 200 hectares of land to SOHAR`s present capacity of around 2,000 hectares. Given its proximity to the bustling petrochemicals cluster, the expansion will be earmarked almost exclusively for oil and gas-based investment.

SOHAR Freezone also witnessed a number of milestones in 2017, the most significant of which was the signing with India`s Pittie Group, one of the biggest cotton yarn manufacturers in the world, for a USD 300 million cotton yarn project. The project, when completed, will produce 100,000 tonnes of cotton yarn per year and generate over 1,500 sustainable jobs in the free zone. “Another major project was for the production of antimony, a mineral which is primarily used as a fire-retardant. In total around 26 companies are already reaping the benefits of unrivalled access to land, low-cost energy, and skilled workforce in the region,” said Jamal Aziz, Chief Executive Officer, SOHAR Freezone.

Industries already located at SOHAR are also expanding with Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries (Orpic) boosting refinery capacity, from 120,000 to 180,000 barrels per day; while Gulf Mining are constructing five ferrochrome smelters to boost metals output. “Investment in the smelter is part of a push to grow our metals cluster; to complement and support iron and aluminium industries at SOHAR. The metals cluster at Sohar is one of the fastest growing, with a high economic yield. Studies indicate iron industries and their derivatives have experienced exceptional growth as they continue to strive to meet demand,” says Aziz. “Looking ahead, a USD 60 million deal with a UK-led consortium will see SOHAR house the largest rare earth metal plant of its kind outside of China. Plus, agreements with two of Oman’s biggest business houses will see an annual assembly within the free zone of 200,000 vehicles from some of the world’s leading automotive brands.”

Another new addition to SOHAR Port in 2018 is Oman’s first bitumen refinery, a new plant that will significantly reduce the reliance imports of bitumen and asphalt for road paving and industrial applications. Taking advantage of the growing local and global market for asphalt and bitumen, the project will create new business opportunities and employment in Oman with 34 direct jobs for citizens generated in the first phase of operations. According to market projections, the capacity of phase 1 will be around 1.6 million tonnes per annum, with 35% allocated to the Omani market, 35% exported to GCC countries and 30% destined for the international market. The plant is backed by Sohar Asphalt LLC, an Oman-registered company who are investing $386 million in the new venture.

Mark Geilenkirchen mentions that growth from within the Freezone also plays a significant role in the growth of port operations. As the number of resident businesses increase, so to do cargo volumes. “Additionally, we are promoting the consolidation of shipping cargo for smaller players in the Freezone, many of whom currently transport their cargo overland to other port destinations in the region. Providing more practical options for clients to consolidate their cargo reduces unnecessary handling and delays, and helps to increase cargo volumes," he said.

Looking ahead at 2018, SOHAR is promoting the theme of ‘Smarter Thinking’, streamlining operations and improving efficiencies. “We work closely with our colleagues at the Port of Rotterdam in the areas of new logistics strategies and adopting the latest technologies. At SOHAR, we pride ourselves in promoting a ‘Smarter Thinking’ culture, one that ensures that innovative ideas are freely shared and championed,” says Geilenkirchen.

With so many developments taking place, coupled with the optimal location of the port, and the Sultanate’s reputation as a reliable and stable business environment, the SOHAR Port and Freezone has a bright future ahead, not only as a beacon of growth and prosperity for the region, but as a key player in achieving the economic diversification goals of the Government in the years ahead.

 

• SOHAR hosts 7th annual Herring Party celebrating partnership with Holland


• Over 150 industry specialists attended the party to network and discuss new commercial opportunities


• Industry leaders come together to celebrate European and Middle East maritime legacies

SOHAR Port and Freezone spent the day in high spirits yesterday, as it celebrated it’s long-standing partnership with Holland by hosting it’s 7th annual Herring Party. The event attracted over 150 industry specialists from across the region, who were each invited to celebrate by trying the Dutch delicacy during the one-day festival, which was held at the nearby Crowne Plaza in Sohar.







The much-anticipated event has become a regular feature in the SOHAR calendar and provided a chance to celebrate and reflect on the strong ties that have been established between the Sultanate of Oman and The Netherlands as SOHAR goes from strength to strength. So far, more than US$21 billion has been pumped into creating a world-class facility, with SOHAR’s growing popularity contributing to lease agreements being signed for the first phase of the Freezone almost three years ahead of schedule.



In Holland, locals have been eating New Dutch Herring - or Hollandse Nieuwe - for over 600 years. Traditionally, herring is eaten by holding the fish by it’s tail, dipping it in onions and then lowering it whole into your mouth.







Reflecting on the success of recent milestones, Andre Toet, SOHAR CEO, said: “2015 has been a hugely successful year for SOHAR Port and Freezone. We have hit a number of key milestones as the business continues to grow. Much of this is owed to our strong ties with Holland - the Port of Rotterdam has a long history stretching back to the 14th-century, our vision is to experience the same level of growth and create a millennium of enterprise and sea trade right here in the Middle East.”







Prior to the event, SOHAR held an Agents Meeting: an open forum which allowed the Port and shipping communities to provide progress updates to each other, ensure they are communicating as efficiently as possible and discuss innovative ways to attract more cargoes from throughout the region to Oman’s main gateway Port.

SOHAR Port and Freezone is continuing its commitment to supporting the local community through the distribution of hundreds of vouchers for families in need as part of the company’s Ramadan celebrations.

The first of the 375 vouchers were presented to families by H.E. Sheikh Said bin Humaid Al Harthy, Wali of Liwa, along with SOHAR Port CEO Mr. Andre Toet. A total 375 of vouchers will be hand delivered to local homes.

SOHAR Port and Freezone also donated vouchers to families in need, last year. Speaking on the success of the month-long aid campaign, SOHAR Port CEO, Mr. Andre Toet said: “Ramadan is an extremely special time for charitable giving in Islam, it is also a time for understanding and compassion. Helping those in need is closely aligned with our commitment, here at SOHAR Port and Freezone, to creating a responsible and sustainable business which supports the local community.”

He added: “Since moving to Oman and experiencing the great culture of this country, I cannot help but admire the compassion and generosity that people demonstrate during this holy month. I am incredibly proud that we are doing our bit and giving something back to the community during this time so that everyone can join in the celebrations.”

Families were selected from the Sohar and Liwa areas, based on household income. The final selection was made by the Wali’s Office in coordination with Social Development North Al Batinah Directorate. With an average of 7 people per household in the area, the campaign will effectively reach up to 2,625 individuals.

With a population of just 3.5 million people, Oman was regarded as the most-improved country in the last 40 years back in 2010 – ahead of China, Nepal, Indonesia, and neighbouring Saudi Arabia. As an integral part of plans to diversify the economy and create sustainable employment, SOHAR has brought 1,000 percent growth to the region in recent years as well as many skilled job opportunities.

SOHAR Port and Freezone is gearing up for the launch of its fourth annual Summer Educational Programme. The Programme is designed to help students in Sohar and the nearby province of Liwa to enhance their English and IT knowledge, arming them with vital skills that will help increase their employment prospects in the future. The Summer Educational Programme commences on August 1 and will last for two weeks.

This year’s Programme is being held in partnership with the Ministry of Education and SOHAR’s neighbouring International Maritime College of Oman (IMCO). The Programme has helped almost a thousand local school students over the last three years and this year 330 students aged 10 to 14 will be participating.

The Programme was launched four years ago, to help augment participants’ educational acumen which will help them with finding employment in the future. The Programme aims to provide surrounding communities with the skills and income required to improve their own livelihoods and meet the development priorities outlined in the Oman government’s Economic Vision 2020.

Classes will take place at IMCO, a specialist education and training institute in SOHAR, which offers Diploma and Degree Courses for the Maritime, Shipping, Port, Transport and Petrochemical Process industries.

Andre Toet, CEO of SOHAR Port, says: “We are delighted to be running the Summer Educational Programme again this year and are very much looking forward to welcoming another group of ambitious, bright young people onto the Programme. SOHAR is committed to creating opportunities for young people in the area and the Summer Educational Programme is just one small part of our wider plans to work with the local community to create a thriving region, in every way possible.”

With global investments worth over US $21 billion, more and more opportunities are emerging as the Port and adjacent Freezone continue to expand. Jamal Aziz, CEO of SOHAR Freezone comments: “SOHAR is growing at an unprecedented rate, this presents vast opportunities for young, local talent. The Summer Educational Programme is a fantastic opportunity to align our ambitions for the future with market trends and to involve up and coming young talents at an early stage; I cannot think of a better match.”

SOHAR Port and Freezone is celebrating once again as it adds yet another global shipping line to its growing roster of direct calls. The Port held a special ceremony to welcome the arrival of the container ship M.V.Hanjin Hamburg into the Port yesterday. The new 8,600 TEU service from Hanjin, one of the world’s top ten shipping lines, will directly link SOHAR to the Far East and is a significant addition in terms of direct connectivity for SOHAR.

His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Salem Al-Futaisi, the Sultanate’s Minister of Transport and Communications, representatives of Hanjin Shipping, as well as executives from Oman International Container Terminal (OICT) and SOHAR Port and Freezone, were on the quayside to welcome the arrival of the South Korean container vessel.

The inaugural ceremony celebrated the continued and successful growth of the Port, where handling capacity at the state-of-the-art container terminal, operated by OICT, has doubled over the past year. With the relocation of all commercial traffic from Muscat to SOHAR in 2014, and the newly expanded Terminal C now fully operational, SOHAR is now equipped to manage 1.5 million TEUs per year. Hanjin is the second major shipping line to join SOHAR in the last three months, with the Port welcoming the arrival of the EGL Messini from global line Evergreen, in May 2015.

The new Hanjin service will facilitate direct links to include South Korea, China, Malaysia, and Singapore. SOHAR Chief Executive Andre Toet says: “The past year has been of huge significance for SOHAR Port and specifically for our container business with OICT; the growth in both size and efficiency at OICT has led to more new lines and, most importantly, more direct connections. These direct calls help us to sink costs, savings that can be passed on all the way through the supply chain.”

SOHAR Freezone Jamal Aziz added: “Our goal is ultimately to secure that all imports and exports from and for Oman go through Omani ports, and adding this new direct service is another important step on that journey. SOHAR Port Authority is actively working together with OICT and our other terminals on strategies to achieve this.”

Chief Executive of OICT, Albert Pang, summed up: "It is with great pleasure that OICT welcomes the maiden call of the Hanjin Hamburg running on a new direct service connecting Sohar to the Far East. This service is evidence of shipping lines\` confidence in OICT\`s growing prominence as Oman\`s gateway for international trade in addition to its position as a hub for container carrier connections. A combination of the latest IT systems and technology, a highly-skilled workforce and continuous investments in facilities allow us to offer customers the highest standards of service and efficiency and we will continue to build for the future of trade in the region. "

Sohar Aluminium battled their way to glory, last night, to be crowned champions of SOHAR Port and Freezones annual football tournament. After a tense 45 minutes, Sohar Aluminium beat Orpic by one goal to take home the 2015 trophy.

Sohar Aluminium and Orpic both beat off stiff competition to reach the final, even defeating OICT who won last year’s competition.

The winner’s trophy and runner-up prizes were presented at the end of the game and after the main Cup presentation, SOHAR Freezone CEO Jamal Aziz also handed out awards to the best outfield player, best goalkeeper and top scorer of the tournament.

The tournament has been a huge success with a mammoth 32 teams signing up to take part in the three-week tournament. SOHAR Freezone CEO, Jamal Aziz, was full of praise for the players, “We are extremely proud of all of the players who have taken part in this year’s tournament. They have shown tenacity and selflessness in the way that they have come together with their workmates to compete as a team. The tournament is testament to the fact that our employees and those of our tenants are our big-gest assets, on and off the pitch,” he said.

SOHAR Port CEO, Andre Toet, heaped further praise on the players, “Football is a sport which encapsu-lates teamwork and dedication. We are grateful to all of the players who took part in this tournament, as well as all of our other staff members, for consistently striving to perform at the highest level possi-ble, on the pitch and in the workplace,” said Toet.

It was full steam ahead last week, as SOHAR Port and Freezone completed another successful ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of fuel oil. The delicate operation was conducted by one of the world’s leading marine cargo transfer companies, Fendercare Marine. Accredited by no less than ten national and international regulatory bodies, Fendercare handles around 2,800 transfers per year and has an immaculate safety record. In 2013, Fendercare managed close to half a billion barrels globally without incident.

SOHAR has taken an active role as a regional pioneer of ship-to-ship transfer services in its anchorage areas. Especially with the current high demand for floating storage solutions, ship-to-ship movements of liquid bulk are critical. Bigger is better when it comes to economies of scale, so although smaller vessels may bring in oil supplies, super-tankers are the more cost effective mid to long-term floating storage solution. At present, some VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carriers, or super-tankers) are being booked up to one year ahead by traders to facilitate additional, offshore storage space until global oil prices recover and physical stocks can be sold off.

As always in SOHAR, safety and environmental protection are paramount to any marine side operations. As a 50:50 partnership with Port of Rotterdam, SOHAR prides itself on some of the strictest and best policed environmental policies in the region, both above and below the water. SOHAR has invested in an artificial reef project to help protect and grow fish stocks in the area around the Port and to help support local fishermen.

“Thursday’s transfer demonstrates that the marine side of our business is still booming,” said SOHAR Chief Executive, Andre Toet. “With all our recent successes and the phenomenal growth in investments we’ve seen on the landside of the SOHAR operation, it is sometimes easy to overlook what is happening out at sea. Thursday also marked International Day of the Seafarer, and we celebrated the day by handing out 500 goody bags to mariners at our berths or moored in our anchorage areas,” he concluded.

SOHAR will also be handling liquefied natural gas (LNG) ship-to-ship transfers in the near future. The pioneering STS transfers in SOHAR will combine the latest technologies with international best practices to offer a revolutionary service, currently only available at the Ports of Rotterdam and Singapore. A recent set of deadlines set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), will require ships passing through so-called Emissions Control Areas, to reduce the level of sulphur-oxide in their fuel supplies to just 0.1 per cent. This has led to an increase in research and investment into LNG as bunker fuel and LNG transfer facilities. 

Suhail Bahwan takes the floor in SOHAR Freezone

• Evening ‘deminar’ to explain latest jointless concrete slab technology

• High-tech concrete floor for new Nissan car finishing facility in SOHAR

• SOHAR Freezone now home to fast growing Middle East automotive hub







The construction of a jointless, steel-fibre reinforced concrete, industrial floor, the biggest ever laid in the Sultanate, marked the successful delivery of a new automotive finishing facility in SOHAR Freezone last night. Representatives from Nissan Motor Company, the world’s sixth largest automobile manufacturer, represented in the Sultanate by Suhail Bahwan Automotive, were on hand to see the final touches being put to a high-tech concrete slab, that forms the base of their 150,000 square metre plant in the Freezone. The management and technical teams from SOHAR Port and Freezone also attended the on-site ‘deminar’ yesterday evening, led by industrial flooring specialists Twintec.



A spokesperson for Suhail Bahwan explained that the large panel, jointless floor slab offers Nissan significant benefits compared to traditionally reinforced saw-cut concrete floors. Not only is construction time significantly shorter, maintenance costs will also be reduced and business efficiencies increased. He explained that the Nissan project is the first in the Sultanate to introduce the innovative Co-Sinus construction joint that provides a smooth ride for material handling equipment moving across the floor. “This reduces wear and tear on our vehicles and allows them to operate at their most efficient speeds,” he concluded.



SOHAR Freezone CEO, Jamal Aziz, says: “As the automotive cluster in SOHAR Freezone continues to grow apace, it is great to see the latest technologies being adopted by our tenants. The huge demands that a large car plant places on its flooring requires not only technical knowledge but also world-class technology, if you want to build a sustainable solution.”



Based near Rugby in the UK, Twintec is no newcomer to the global automotive industry, with flagship construction projects that include flooring slabs for the new Renault assembly unit in Tangiers, Morocco; the Volkswagen plant in Sydney, Australia; and the BMW factory in Rosslyn, South Africa.



Speaking about the new floor’s environmental credentials, an important aspect of the assessment of every new project in SOHAR Freezone, Technical and Commercial Director of Twintec, Tom Menary, says: “We always seek to minimise the environmental impact of our operations, which is why our slab designs champion the use of cement replacement and minimise the use of heavy steel bar reinforcement; this improves the whole-life environmental performance of our projects.”

• SOHAR attends Leaders in Logistics Summit with other top companies

• Oman logistics sector to exceed $12 billion by 2017

• Region’s logistics future on the table with over 150 key people attending







With the logistics sector in Oman set to grow beyond the $12 billion mark by 2017, the Sultanate is quickly advancing with its plans to diversify the economy beyond its traditional petrochemical base, and to transform itself into a major industrial and logistics centre for the region and beyond.



This week, SOHAR Port and Freezone is participating in the fifth annual ‘Middle East Leaders in Logistics Summit’, an invitation-only event being held in Dubai’s Grosvenor House Hotel. The 2015 Summit brings together the cream of the region’s supply chain community, representing the key decision makers leading the Middle East and shaping the sector’s future.



The Summit invites the region’s logistics experts to discuss issues affecting the industry and provides the ideal platform for supply chain professionals to reflect on how they can tackle operational challenges, meet expectations and drive efficiency in their organisations.



SOHAR Freezone CEO, Jamal Aziz, commented: “As Oman diversifies its economy, SOHAR Port and Freezone has a critical role to play. Our rapid growth has positioned SOHAR as a significant regional hub, and we are fully committed to building a sustainable logistics infrastructure that will support Oman in achieving our Vision 2020 objectives.”



The Sultanate is ideally placed to play a leading role in logistics. Oman’s geographical location, its stable political climate, combined with the excellent infrastructure already available as well as upgrades currently under construction, are all key ingredients that will contribute to the continued growth of the logistics industry.



Some $250 billion has been allocated for the construction of 67,000km of railway lines across the Middle East. This includes the eagerly anticipated Gulf Railway, which will connect Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman over the course of the next three to five years. The construction of a planned road link between Sohar and Riyadh is also due to commence in the near future.



Thanks to the wealth of cargo rail experience that Port of Rotterdam brought with it to the Sultanate, the terminals at SOHAR Port and the adjacent Freezone were all designed with rail in mind straight from the drawing board. “This will give SOHAR a significant edge when it comes to integrating cargo rail into our on-going logistical operations,” concluded Andre Toet, CEO of SOHAR Port.

• SOHAR participates at inaugural Iranian Iron and Steel Conference

• More than 350 international and regional delegates meet on Kish Island

• Metals cluster in SOHAR continues to expand and open more opportunities







The demand for steel will grow to as much as two billion metric tons a year by 2025. Since the turn of the decade, infrastructure and construction projects linked to urbanization in India, the Middle East, China and elsewhere, has accounted for more than 35 percent of global steel demand and for more than half its growth.



Fitting then, that as relations between Iran and the west continue to improve, more than 350 international delegates from companies both inside and outside Iran are meeting on Kish Island this week at the first Iranian Iron and Steel conference, discussing opportunities to integrate the nation’s huge iron and steel industry into growing global markets.



“As a link-pin in the regional steel industry, SOHAR Port and Freezone has a location second to none,” says SOHAR Freezone CEO Jamal Aziz, and continues: “Optimally placed between the markets of east and west, in an area of the world where demand for steel continues to grow, with our low utility prices and attractive incentive packages, we offer an ideal environment for steel manufacturers and steel fabrication industries.”



Which is perhaps why so many leading companies in the steel industry have already established themselves in SOHAR. These include Vale from Brazil; Inco from Turkey; Sohar Steel from Oman; and Jindal, Dunes, Cabrol, Metkore, and Indsil - all originally from India.



Jacoba Bolderheij, Commercial Manager at SOHAR agrees; the Dutch ex-diplomat charged with marketing the Freezone in SOHAR was one of very few female speakers at this week’s Kish Island conference and soon earned herself a nickname as the region’s ‘Iron Lady’: “We believe SOHAR will play a critical role for the Iranian steel industry; not only as an optimal entry and exit point to the broader region, but also thanks to our long-standing good relations with Iran, our excellent infrastructure and logistics, we are ideally positioned as a regional base for continued investment in the sector, from materials processing right the way to finished steel products.”

• SOHAR is transforming into a major Gulf regional logistics hub

• SOHAR targets Mumbai and Chennai for strategic logistics discussions

• Oman’s logistics sector to grow beyond the $12 billion mark by 2017

Managers from SOHAR Port and Freezone hit the road in India this week, as part of a three-day tour to promote the new Gulf gateway to South Asian investors. A number of roundtable discussions were held, focusing primarily on the logistics sector, as Oman looks to play an increasingly important role in the regional logistics industry.



As the Middle East embarks on its most ambitious rail network ever, with some $250 billion earmarked for the construction of nearly 70,000 kilometres of railway line over the next five years, Mumbai and Chennai were the focus for this week’s SOHAR road show. Oman’s new railway network will help transform the Sultanate into a major cargo hub for the entire Gulf region, in turn creating a wealth of investment opportunities for Indian companies. Thanks to Port of Rotterdam’s long experience as a European cargo rail hub, optimal rail integration has been central to the design of all the terminals in SOHAR Port, right from the outset.

This week’s road show is there to support Oman’s Vision 2020 programme, which aims to diversify the country’s economy beyond the oil industry. The rapid development of the Port and Freezone in SOHAR is a good example of how the nation is strengthening its manufacturing capabilities and is fast shifting away from being a country that only exports hydrocarbons.

Andre Toet, CEO of SOHAR Port, comments: “SOHAR is a critical link in Oman’s commercial logistics industry and is committed to building a sustainable logistical gateway that will help Oman to achieve its Vision 2020 objectives. From the standpoint of Oman’s economic diversification strategy, the logistics industry has the potential to surpass the hydrocarbons sector as the nation’s economic mainstay.”

SOHAR Port and Freezone is one of the world’s fastest growing hubs and has sustained double-digit growth for over a decade. Its strategic position outside the Strait of Hormuz has made it an ideal trans-shipment centre between east and west, as well as an important gateway not only to the growing MENA region, but also as a stepping-off point to around 3.5 billion consumers across easily accessible neighbouring regions of China, India and Eastern Africa. And despite currently low oil prices, the development of industry in Oman continues apace.

Jamal Aziz, CEO of SOHAR Freezone, adds: “Oman’s logistics sector is projected to grow beyond the $12 billion mark by 2017. This is not surprising, considering the Sultanate is ideally positioned to play a leading role: our prime geographical location, combined with the excellent infrastructure already available and currently under construction, as well as our stable political climate, are all key ingredients that are contributing to the continued growth of the logistics industry in Oman.”

• Another new facility opens as SOHAR Freezone growth accelerates

• Dunes Industries SOHAR plant has doubled its size in just two years

• New plant to recruit over 60 local staff to go beyond government targets







Dunes Industries held a VIP ceremony this week to celebrate the opening of its new hot-dip galvanizing plant at SOHAR Freezone. His Excellency Dr Ahmed Mohammed Salem Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, was the guest of honour at the event, with a ribbon cutting ceremony to declare the state-of-the-art facility open for business after a 12-month development phase.



Dunes Industries Chairman, H.E. Mohammed bin Hamdan Al Tobi, SOHAR Port and Freezone CEOs Jamal Aziz and Andre Toet, as well as a number of other senior executives from SOHAR and Dunes Industries were on-site on Monday to celebrate the expansion.



Dunes has leased an additional 5 hectares of land, doubling the size of its plant in SOHAR and adding to the existing foundry and manufacturing facilities for fencing and steel shutters. The new facility will primarily manufacture galvanised steel safety guardrails for the many new highways under construction in Oman and the region.



The new facility was largely designed and constructed in Oman by Dunes own group companies, but best-in-class, specialised guardrail manufacturing and galvanizing machinery has been brought in from Italy, Austria and Germany.



The company is already leading the way with its Omanisation targets and it is set to recruit a total of over 60 people from the local area. H.E. Mohammed bin Hamdan Al Tobi, Chairman of Dunes Industries, commented: “We opened our first plant in SOHAR just two years ago and our successful growth shows that the decision to locate here was a good one — we are extremely proud to be doubling the size of our operations here in such a short time.”



The expansion in SOHAR comes in response to greatly increased demand for steel safety guardrails, as road infrastructure in Oman develops apace and road safety is brought up to exacting international standards. The new SOHAR to Riyadh highway will be opening in a few months time and will add to the many new highways around SOHAR that are already open or nearing completion.



Jamal Aziz, CEO of SOHAR Freezone, added: “Dunes Industries’ expansion at SOHAR is testament to their own abilities and to the success of SOHAR; we are proud to contribute to the road construction market which has brought hundreds of kilometres of new, international standard highways to this part of the Arabian Peninsula and each kilometre of new highway requires an average of four kilometres of new steel guardrail.” He concluded: “With a focus on diversifying our economy, Oman is investing heavily in upgrading its road network in order to better serve the country’s industry and trade potential, this means there is huge potential for Dunes Industries in Oman and the broader GCC region.

SOHAR Port and Freezone, one of the world’s largest port development sites and joint venture with Port of Rotterdam, showcased the growing number of benefits on offer to global shipping fuel industries in Oman. A team of delegates from Oman showcased the logistics hubs’ LNG, marine fuel, and other business credentials at Bunker Lunch 2015, one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the marine fuels calendar.



Last year, SOHAR sponsored the Fifth Annual Bunker Lunch held at Oxo Tower on the banks for the River Thames, and the port authority returned to sponsor this year’s event, as it seeks to capitalise on investment of US$21 billion and attract more of the world’s marine fuel industries to its strategic location outside of the Strait of Hormuz. Lower shipping costs and the ease of doing business in Oman were a central message.











“Oman is ranked 66th in terms of ease of doing business, ahead of China and India and not far behind Italy, and Luxembourg. Our one-stop-shop has made doing business at SOHAR even easier, while we also benefit from some of the most competitive land and energy rates in the region. Our position outside of the Strait of Hormuz means that our bunker suppliers are also ideally situated to be able serve the non-captive ships on their way in and out of the Gulf,” explained SOHAR Executive Commercial Manager, Edwin Lammers.



Having muscled its way into the world’s top 100 ports last year, Mr Lammers explained that in addition to developing traditional fuel supplies that confirm with the latest IMO regulations, the introduction of ship-to-ship LNG services are an indication of what lies ahead and affirm that SOHAR has its eyes on the future.







“In just a few short years, we have attracted many of the biggest names in the shipping industry – shipping lines, terminal operators, and service providers. Last year we welcomed a record 2,000th ship in a calendar year, which represents a 4,700 percent leap from the 42 ships that called in 2004. We also saw 58 percent growth in containers, 51 percent growth in break bulk, and a near-doubling of roro throughput; and with more ships scheduled to call in 2015, maintaining our first-class fuel supplies will be the key to the future.”



“As we do so, we are committed to developing traditional fuel supplies that meet the highest international standards. However, our mandate also includes supporting the diversification of the Omani economy, and as such, we continue to explore options when it comes to research and development into LNG supplies.”







Bunker is the name given to the fuel used to operate ships and the term bunkering is the supply of that fuel. Shell Oman Marketing Company SAOG, Omanoil Matrix Marine Service Company LLC, a joint venture between Matrix Marine Holding of Germany, and Oman Oil Marketing Company are the official suppliers of bunker to SOHAR. The port is also home to an innovative joint venture between Germany’s Oiltanking and Norway’s Odjfell, bringing together some of the world’s leading minds in fuel storage and transportation.



Bunker Lunch 2015 is organised by Bunkerworld, an independent online publication for senior managers in the marine and energy sector. The 2015 lunch will be held at Oxo Tower Breasserie, London, on 9 February and will be attended by ship owners, operators, managers; marine fuel suppliers, traders, and charterers.

A delegation from SOHAR Port and Freezone will aim to capitalise on the economic slowdown in China by focusing on the opportunities that are being created in booming regional markets when they attend Asia’s largest breakbulk and project cargo conference and exhibition, Breakbulk China 2015, later this month.

Thousands of breakbulk and project cargo logisticians will attend the four-day event when it opens at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre on 17 March, and SOHAR Executive Commercial Manager Edwin Lammers said contrasting economic conditions in the Far and Middle East are not all bad.







“China has cut its economic forecasts and set a much-reduced growth target of 7 percent for 2015. This will be the first time it has registered single digit growth for the best part of three decades. Its property sector is shrinking too, and while foreign trade fell by 11 percent in January, the opportunities are there,” he said.



“For a start, the Middle East’s construction sector is a huge generator of breakbulk and project cargo, which grew by 51 percent at SOHAR last year. Saudi Arabia and UAE have for a long time commanded the top two positions in terms of spending, and Oman also awarded US$3.53 billion in infrastructure tenders last year.”



“As demand for breakbulk imports continues to grow, our aim is to attract cargo volumes to SOHAR. Unlike other ports in the GCC, we have the demand, the space, competitive energy rates, and a skilled workforce that can cater to Chinese and other investors that involved in Asia’s various global supply chains,” he said.



Residential projects and expanding industrial areas like SOHAR Freezone are behind infrastructure spending in Oman, as are the thousands of kilometres of new railroads and expressways that are providing Oman’s premier logistics hub with unrivalled connectivity from its strategic position outside the Strait of Hormuz.



“Being outside the Strait of Hormuz gives us a real advantage over other port and freezone sites when it comes to handling breakbulk project cargo. Our multimodal infrastructure and ground handling capabilities are also equipped to be able to transport goods throughout the region seamlessly,” explained Mr Lammers.



In 2014, SOHAR handled close to 1.4 million freight tonnes of breakbulk cargo, compared to 886,000 tonnes the previous year. In terms of specific breakbulk cargo, infrastructure at SOHAR enabled tenant Larsen & Toubro Heavy Engineering, to supply the world’s largest heat recovery boiler to a Schmidtsche Schack plant in Germany. This project included 10 sets of heat recovery boilers, high pressure steam drums and piping. 

The calm shores of the Gulf of Oman provided a unique backdrop as SOHAR Port and Freezone hosted its 6th Annual Herring Party in celebration of the Dutch obsession with eating raw herring. The event attracted more than 100 businessmen and women from across the region to the Crowne Plaza in Sohar.

The much-anticipated event has become a regular feature in the SOHAR annual calendar, and provided a relaxed setting in which to reflect on the strong ties that have been established between the Sultanate of Oman and the Netherlands, as SOHAR prepares to take over Muscat’s key port operations. It also presented an opportunity to reflect on new growth opportunities following sustained investment in the port and its adjoining freezone. SOHAR welcomed its first 10,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) ship last month.

The event was attended by SOHAR CEO Andre Toet who gave his thoughts on the Holland New Herring – or Hollandse Nieuwe – which traditionally involves holding a cured herring by its tail, throwing your head back, and lowering it whole into your mouth. He remarked: “I hope the Holland New Herring will act as symbol of innovation and a reminder of how a simple commercial adaptation has led to the creation of a national delicacy and an industry that catches, processes, and consumes over 12 million kilos of fish every year.“

Reflecting on the success of recent milestones, including the arrival of the first 10,000 TEU container ship, Edwin Lammers, SOHAR Executive Commercial Manager said: “2014 has been a great year for the SOHAR Port and Freezone, and our ongoing success is a clear indication of the durability of the vision we are building. That vision includes a commitment to creating similar stories to those experienced over a millennium of enterprise and sea trade in the Netherlands, right here in the Middle East.”

SOHAR Port and Freezone welcomed close to 100 ministerial, industrial, and business leaders to the second instalment of its pioneering environmental management programme. The event was organized in cooperation with the SOHAR Environment Unit and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs.

 High on the agenda at the workshop were global best practices that can ensure regulations are able to maintain pace with growth; including water and emissions management strategies, and zero discharge, and the impact new projects are expected to have on the surrounding area. The meeting also provided an opportunity to highlight significant achievements made in improving air quality and the reduction of odour and dust nuisances. A question and answer session facilitated dialogue.

"One of the questions that continue to surround port and freezone developments is how sustainability can be incorporated within such a complex global supply chain. The answer is a resounding yes, we can achieve sustainability. However, as we have seen globally, sustainability will only be achieved when it ceases to be seen as a hindrance to business operations," said SOHAR CEO Andre Toet.

"This is the thinking behind the SOHAR environment programme - to inspire those around us to lead by example and amplify our message of sustainability to those that will join us in the future. In doing so, we aim to establish SOHAR as a regional byword for sustainability complete with the knowledge and expertise to be able to contribute positively to the environment. We know we will have to work hard to turn our vision into a reality, but we are aware of the long-term benefits that will come as we do so," said Mr. Toet.

The SOHAR environmental programme is part of a broad sustainability drive that has seen the port become the first in the Middle East to reward green ships, as well as one of only three places in the world to offer ship-to-ship LNG cargo transfer services.

• SOHAR pens deal with Saudi logistics and warehouse provider WPL

• Construction of 100,000sqm warehouse park in SOHAR Freezone to begin

• Good start for 2016 SOHAR ‘Year of Logistics’ to attract 2PL/3PL players

SOHAR Port and Freezone signed a new deal this week with Warehousing Solutions LLC, a newly established company belonging to Saudi Arabian logistics provider Warehousing Projects and Logistics LLC (WPL).



WPL started in 2010 with a land bank of around 500,000m2 situated in the industrial cities of Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah and Madinah, with the development of pre-built warehouses for logistics services providers and other clients.



WPL has expanded its portfolio into built-to-suit warehouses and warehousing design, through collaboration with an international consulting firm, complemented with third-party logistics (3PL) services. Warehousing Solutions LLC will develop and manage the new warehouse park at SOHAR Freezone — one of WPL’s first major ventures outside the Kingdom.

The signing took place at the annual SOHAR business reception, which was held in Muscat on Tuesday evening. His Excellency Sultan Al Habsi, Chairman of SOHAR Port and Freezone, as well as SOHAR CEOs Andre Toet and Jamal Aziz signed the agreement with WPL Chief Executive Abdulaziz Mansoor Al Subaie. VIPs and guest from the public and private sectors as well as representatives from key diplomatic missions in Oman attended the ceremony.



The signing marks the beginning of the construction of WPL’s planned 50,000sqm warehouse park in SOHAR Freezone; a further 50,000sqm has been reserved for phase II, taking the total size of the land lease agreement up to 100,000sqm. Warehousing Solutions will construct ready-built warehouses as well as bespoke warehousing for other SOHAR tenants on-site in the Freezone.



The new deal comes at just the right time. Throughput at SOHAR Port increased dramatically over 2015, with an average of close to one million tons of cargo throughput a week recorded last year. The new highway connecting SOHAR directly to Saudi Arabia is due to open in the first quarter of 2016; and this year the first 200km of the GCC rail network in Oman will start construction, linking SOHAR to the border of the Emirates in Buraimi, with onward rail links to Abu Dhabi.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, SOHAR Freezone CEO, Jamal Aziz, said: “We are delighted to have signed this lease agreement with WPL’s new Omani company, Warehousing Solutions LLC. The logistics sector in Oman is projected to grow beyond the US$12 billion mark by 2017, and we have set out to make 2016 our Year of Logistics, to attract more 2PL and 3PL providers to SOHAR. Long-term, thanks to our unique location, the logistics industry has the potential to surpass the hydrocarbons sector as the nation’s economic mainstay.”



WPL Chief Executive Abdulaziz Mansoor Al Subaie, summed up: “We’ve seen an active interest in warehousing and logistics development emerging in Oman, and our presence at SOHAR expands our reach across the region to meet these demands. With its strategic location as a logistics hub for the Gulf,  SOHAR Freezone will add to the value proposition we can offer to clients and logistics service providers. We look forward to cooperating with Freezone’s One-Stop-Shop team to turn our latest expansion into reality.”

London, once home to the largest port in the world, was the location for Bunker Lunch this week, held at the home of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in Piccadilly. Over 150 industry experts came together for this year’s event, which has become a highlight of this highly specialised industry’s annual calendar.

Taking place in one of London’s most iconic venues, the lunch, which is hosted by Platts and jointly sponsored by SOHAR Port and Freezone and the Port’s bunker fuel partner, Omanoil Matrix Marine Services (MXO), gives attendees the opportunity to network with other international bunker industry professionals.

SOHAR was on hand to showcase what has been an incredible year, having just released figures for 2015 in recent weeks. Averaging almost one million tons of cargo per week, 2015 was the Port’s best year ever since operations began in 2004. Continuing a decade of double-digit growth, 2015 saw an impressive 12% year-on-year rise in total throughput, with container throughput up by 62% and RoRo up by 90%.

Andre Toet, CEO of SOHAR, said: “Last year was hugely successful for us, not only did we complete our best ever results, we added a number of new shipping lines to our impressive global roster, offering more direct links to Asia that will ultimately help to reduce the costs of doing business – savings that can be passed down right along the supply chain. We are now handling more than 2,500 vessels a year.”



Andre Toet continued: “When it comes to bunkering, we are in discussions to handle liquefied natural gas (LNG) ship-to-ship transfers in the near future. The pioneering STS transfers in SOHAR will combine the latest technologies with international best practices to offer a revolutionary service, currently only available at the Ports of Rotterdam and Singapore.”

MXO is the leading marine fuel supplier at SOHAR Port and Freezone. The company announced its own expansion in SOHAR last year, with the deployment of a new bunker barge. The new vessel, the 7,535-dwt MV Stephanie, provides both heavy fuel oil and marine gas oil to customers at all locations within SOHAR Port and its anchorage areas. It is the second dedicated bunker barge within the Port providing exclusive supply, joining its sister ship the MV Azelea that was deployed in August 2014.

Stephen Robinson, Managing Director of MXO, speaking at the event in London, said: “This second barge enables us to ensure the quality and quantity of products, the reliability of supply, as well as minimising costs and maximising operational efficiencies within the bunkering process. Despite the drop in global oil prices, marine fuel remains a significant proportion of a vessel’s operating costs. We are therefore working closely with our customers to provide the optimum bunker solution, creating real value for them when it comes to marine fuel procurement.”

This week, SOHAR Port and Freezone joined thousands of companies at Gulfood 2016 in Dubai – the world’s largest food and hospitality show, with over 90,000 visitors from 160 countries expected this year. The show connects the global food industry, helping to benchmark prices, quality, service and reliability, whilst also unveiling the latest tastes, trends and innovations.

As SOHAR progresses with the construction of its Food Zone, the first of its kind in the region, the show was the perfect venue to meet international investors looking to play a part in Oman’s plans to expand its food-processing sector. The new Food Zone offers a dedicated agro-terminal in one of the region’s best-connected Ports, with world-class infrastructure and connectivity right across the Arabian Peninsula.

The new Food Zone will one day feature grain storage facilities and there are plans in place for Oman’s first sugar refinery, which will largely eliminate the Sultanate’s current need to import over 120,000 tons of refined sugar a year. The new Food Zone will also play a major part in Oman’s plans to expand its food-processing sector.

SOHAR CEO Andre Toet, speaking at Gulfood, said: “The combination SOHAR will soon be able to offer of available foodstuffs, abundant feedstock for packaging, and world-class logistics is a big draw for international food companies looking for the perfect regional base in the Middle East. This combined with recent developments in road, air, sea and, soon, rail infrastructure, will undoubtedly spur interest in SOHAR as a prime destination for further agro-industrial investments.”

Last year, The Sohar Food Cluster Company (SFCC) signed a lease agreement for a ten-hectare plot located next to the new container terminal. Through SFCC, the UAE’s Essa Al Ghurair Investment will create the basic infrastructure to attract international investors as partners in joint ventures to launch various food-related industries at SOHAR. Other investments could look at opportunities in associated areas such as cold storage, warehousing and many other areas along the supply chain.

One such firm is an India-based agribusiness that has recently signed a joint venture agreement for the setting up of a rice and pulses storage, processing and packaging facility in SOHAR Food Zone. At an estimated cost of $39 million, the facility will feature a polishing, grading, blending and packaging unit for 100,000 tons per annum (TPA) of premium long grain rice and a state-of-the-art milling unit for 100,000 TPA of pulses. The project is expected to commence operations by 2017.

SOHAR Port and Freezone took part in the Business Innovation Forum this week, with SOHAR Port CEO Andre Toet participating in an industry panel discussion on ‘Shaping the future of logistics through innovation’.

The two-day event, organized in cooperation between the Omani Government and the Dutch Regional Economic Network in the Gulf, was held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Muscat. The forum brings together Oman-based and Dutch entrepreneurs, government officials and researchers in the field of logistics and maritime, and aims to build on the existing close relationship between Oman and the Netherlands as well as creating opportunities for further collaboration.

Speaking to media during the event, SOHAR Port CEO Andre Toet said: “The Business Innovation Forum is a fantastic opportunity for international minds to come together and discuss future trends. This year, as part of our panel discussion, we focused on topics such as the ease of doing business in Oman and how to stay competitive. It is key for us at SOHAR Port and Freezone to remain innovative in order to stay on top of our game.”

Andre Toet continued: “For example, we recently implemented a new port management system which provides shipping agents a platform to access and exchange information; we have also improved our customs services with the implementation of a customs Bayan system. As well as this, our state-of-the-art container terminal, managed by OICT, recently introduced a new automatic truck appointment system to reduce turnaround times, increase efficiency and ultimately reduce the cost of doing business.”

As part of the event an SME competition was held, encouraging participants to get creative. The competition was an opportunity for young people to win great prizes that included a fact-finding trip the Netherlands; a one day visit to SOHAR Port and Freezone with a guided tour of the facilities; and a one-day workshop focusing on soft skills for entrepreneurs, led by Shell Oman.

SOHAR Freezone CEO Jamal Aziz summed up when he said: “The Oman Logistics Strategy 2040 is a key focus for us as the nation looks to diversify its economy and transform the Sultanate into a regional logistics powerhouse. Progressing with our planning is one key to success, but there also needs to be a practical shift right across the board towards ease of doing business, in order for Oman to really excel in this area.

Experts from SOHAR Port and Freezone participated in a number of panel discussions on themes around rail and regional logistics at the Cargo Show MENA this week. The two-day event, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre Arena, brings together over 3,000 industry professionals from the GCC and around the world.

As one of the keynote speakers at the conference, Marc Evertse, SOHAR Executive Commercial Manager, talked about intermodal and multimodal connectivity and its role in reducing the costs of doing business: “Thanks to our prime location outside the Strait of Hormuz and our seamless sea-road-air infrastructure, SOHAR is ideally placed to become of the key regional logistics hubs.”

Many new highways are under construction in SOHAR, including one connecting the Omani port directly to Saudi Arabia that will avoid the delays associated with the current routes through the UAE. SOHAR is also investing heavily in technology, with new automated truck appointment systems for the container terminal, as well as online customs clearance systems and a complete port management system, that gives shipping agents the platform to access and exchange information.

Summing up the two day event in Dubai, SOHAR Port CEO Andre Toet, said: “As the entire region shifts its focus to an economic base fuelled by knowledge, the Sultanate of Oman is ideally placed to play a critical role and become a major logistics hub. Whereas many western countries are still struggling to make the transition to a post-industrial economy, there is a huge opportunity for young countries like Oman to focus even more on education and training and leapfrog their way into leading roles in innovation sectors like sustainable energy, clean-technology, and logistics.

•Annual awards received by SOHAR Freezone in two categories

•fDi Magazine is part of the UK’s Financial Times group

•SOHAR Freezone phase one completed well ahead of schedule

In its annual search for the world’s best free zones, the jury from fDi Magazine, part of the UK’s Financial Times group, has awarded Oman’s SOHAR Freezone in two ‘2015 Free Zone of the Year’ categories: with one commendation for ‘Ease of Access’ and another for ‘Infrastructure Improvements’.

Jamal Aziz, CEO of SOHAR Freezone, commented: “We are delighted to receive this international recognition for SOHAR Freezone and fDi Magazine certainly did their homework; this past year has seen great progress made in terms of accessibility thanks to huge improvements in our fast growing network of new and uncongested highways; with the recent opening of SOHAR Airport we will soon be able to offer seamless sea-road-air cargo connections in Oman.”

The first phase of SOHAR Freezone is now almost fully leased out, several years ahead of the original schedule, as many overseas investors discover the unique advantages of SOHAR Port and Freezone’s location outside the Strait of Hormuz. This has made it an ideal trans-shipment centre between east and west, as well as an important gateway not only to the growing MENA region, but also as a stepping-off point to around 3.5 billion consumers across easily accessible neighbouring regions of China, India and Eastern Africa.

Andre Toet, CEO of SOHAR Port, summed up: “We have positioned ourselves in SOHAR as regional players in a global market and its great to see that these fDi commendations are benchmarked against the world’s best free zones; we are proud of everything that our Freezone team has achieved here in Oman and are thankful to all our tenants who continue to support us as we strive for more diversification and further significant growth.”

• Over 53% year-on-year container growth from Q3 last year

• SOHAR Port and Freezone developing as key regional hub

• Strategic location is a critical factor in tremendous growth

SOHAR has released yet another set of very successful growth figures, this time for the third quarter of 2015, as both the Port and Freezone continue to play a crucial role in the diversification and globalisation of Oman’s economy. Yesterday, the company announced the Port’s cargo throughput results for the third quarter of the year, ending 30 September 2015. The results reflect a consistent growth across all cargo volumes.

The Port’s organic growth was significantly boosted by the relocation of all commercial traffic from Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat from September of last year. Container volume in Q3 2015 grew by a staggering 53% from Q3 of 2014, up from 93,000 TEU to over 142,000 TEU. Combining the figures for SOHAR and Port Sultan Qaboos, shows an organic growth rate of 5% over the first three quarters of 2015 compared to this time last year. For the period from January to September 2015, container volume in SOHAR reached over 407,000 TEU.

Bulk cargo also grew at SOHAR Port, up by 9% in comparison to Q3 last year, increasing from 10.4 million tons in Q3 of 2014, to 11.3 million tons in Q3 of 2015. Over the first three quarters combined, bulk at SOHAR is up by 22%, reaching over 34 million tons for the period from January to September 2015.

The general cargo terminal at SOHAR has also seen significant growth this year, with throughput up by 60% over the first three quarters of 2015, reaching a combined volume of 2.3 million tons. Much of this growth has been captured from other regional ports. Dry and break-bulk was up from 1.3 million tons in the first three quarters of 2014, to over 1.9 million tons for the first three quarters this year, an increase of 48%. Especially RoRo numbers at the terminal have seen an impressive increase of 181% over the first three quarters of 2015 – SOHAR now handles well over 200,000 vehicles annually.

With Oman’s Vision 2020 programme now in full swing, the Sultanate continues to invest heavily in diversifying the economy beyond its traditional petrochemical base, as it moves forward with its plan to transform itself into a major industrial and logistics centre for the region and beyond.

Andre Toet, CEO of SOHAR Port, said: “A 53% year-on-year increase in container throughput in Q3 is testament to the success of our operations here at SOHAR. Our rapid growth has positioned SOHAR as a significant regional hub, and we are fully committed to building a sustainable logistics infrastructure that will support Oman in achieving our Vision 2020 objectives.”

Over the past few months, SOHAR has continued to add new direct shipping lines to its already impressive roster, announcing the addition of global lines Hanjin and Evergreen, directly linking the Port to the Far East. SOHAR Port has recently been shortlisted for Port of the Year at the Maritime Standard Awards 2015, and the Best Dry Bulk Port at the IBJ Awards 2015, to be held soon in Antwerp.

Jamal Aziz, CEO of SOHAR Freezone, added: “We are continuing our unrelenting efforts to increase the size of investments in our Freezone. It is one of our main objectives to play an important role in the diversification process of Oman’s economy and take full advantage of SOHAR’s strategic location in the region which is considered very crucial for our growth. The tremendous work that has gone into growing the business here continues unabated. We are also very proud that SOHAR Freezone recently received two commendations from the Financial Times fDi Magazine Global Free Zones of the Year Awards, for ‘Ease of Access’ and ‘Improved Infrastructure’.”

• Ceremony marks maiden call of M.V. Hawaiian Highway

• New 7,500-vehicle carrier is one of the world’s largest vessels

• Over 181% RoRo traffic increase in SOHAR compared to 2014

SOHAR Port and Freezone celebrated the maiden call of M.V. Hawaiian Highway, one of the world’s largest vessels, at the Port’s general cargo terminal on Sunday 8th November 2015.

The new service from K-Line is a so-called post-Panamax class RoRo carrier (standing for roll-on/roll-off), with an impressive 7,500-vehicle capacity. The ship is K-Line’s newest and largest vehicle carrier, with a length of almost 200 metres and a width spanning 38 metres. The vessel has a number of state-of-the-art features to allow for greater loading efficiency and to lower environmental impact.

C. Steinweg Oman has handled all general cargo, break-bulk and RoRo operations at SOHAR since 2004. RoRo numbers at SOHAR have seen an impressive increase of 181% over the first three quarters of 2015, in comparison to end-September last year, and SOHAR now handles well over 200,000 vehicles annually.

The new service complements the Port’s already impressive roster of direct connections, which has seen the addition of a number of major new shipping lines over the past few months. In May this year, SOHAR announced the addition of a regular service from Evergreen, and in June Hanjin added a new Far East service, directly linking SOHAR with South Korea, China, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Andre Toet, CEO of SOHAR Port, said: “Our rapid growth has positioned SOHAR as a significant regional hub. Every new direct liner connection we add in SOHAR is not only good for our own business, but it’s also great for all our customers as it helps to reduce costs – and these are savings that can be passed down right along the supply chain.”

SOHAR recently reported the first Toyota vehicles offloaded at the Port being taken to a state-of-the-art presales finishing centre in the adjacent Freezone. The brand new facility, built and managed by Saud Bahwan, is one of the first to be opened in what will become a significant automobile cluster in SOHAR, designed to serve the regional car and commercial vehicle industry.

SOHAR Freezone CEO, Jamal Aziz, , commented: “It’s great to see this part of our plans coming to fruition today; one of the world’s largest vessels delivering thousands of new vehicles to the Port, with many of them destined for our new automobile cluster in our Freezone, before they are transported to regional dealerships. It is this kind of synergy that that will help us to build a sustainable logistics infrastructure to support Oman in achieving our Vision 2020 objectives.”

SOHAR Port has recently been shortlisted for Port of the Year at the Maritime Standard Awards 2015, and the Best Dry Bulk Port at the IBJ Awards 2015, to be held soon in Antwerp.

• Impressive 12% year-on-year rise in total throughput for 2015

• Container throughput up by 62% and RoRo up by 90%

• Year-on-year growth strengthens SOHAR position as regional hub

SOHAR Port and Freezone has announced full-year throughput figures for 2015, its best ever. Total cargo volumes in 2015 were up by 12% compared to 2014, at well over 50m tons - an impressive average of almost one million tons a week. Following the first full year of additional traffic from Port Sultan Qaboos, container traffic was up by a massive 62% from 2014. Break bulk also grew at SOHAR Port, with a dramatic rise of 46% from 2014, to over 1.9m tons. RoRo figures saw one of the biggest increases and were up by over 90%, with over 230,000 vehicles handled in 2015.



The figures were announced at the annual SOHAR business reception, which was held in Muscat on Tuesday evening. His Excellency Sultan Al Habsi, Chairman of SOHAR Port and Freezone, as well as SOHAR CEOs Andre Toet and Jamal Aziz, VIPs and guests from the public and private sectors attended this year’s event.



Andre Toet spoke during the event: “An average cargo throughput of close to a million tons a week in 2015, is testament to the success of our operations at SOHAR. Our rapid growth further strengthens our position as the new Gateway to the Gulf region and our continued development as a very significant regional logistics hub.”



In 2015, SOHAR added a number of new direct lines to its already impressive roster, announcing the addition of global players Hanjin, Evergreen and Simatech, adding more direct links to the Far East which in turn will sink costs all the way along the supply chain.



Jamal Aziz, CEO of SOHAR Freezone, added: “As the Port grows so does our Freezone and we are seeing more and more companies coming in to leverage our excellent logistics infrastructure. Not just the proximity of a world-class port, but also new and uncongested highways to KSA and the UAE, a new cargo airport, and this year work will start on our first rail connection from SOHAR to the Emirates border at Buraimi.”

• Today’s signing raises the bar on sustainable waste management standards

• SOHAR will be home to one of the region’s most advanced waste treatment facilities

• 240 Hectare facility will handle all kinds of industrial waste from SOHAR

Today’s signing ceremony in SOHAR marked the end of a long planning phase for what will undoubtedly become one of the Middle East’s most advanced, integrated waste management facilities. Work will now start on the 240-hectare site that has already been earmarked for this exciting environmental project, close to the recently leased-out first phase of SOHAR Freezone.



Chief Executive Officer Tariq Ali Al-Amri, at Oman Environmental Services Holding Company or be’ah, the Omani utility tasked with restructuring and privatising the solid waste sector, said: “At be\`ah, our main objective is to structure the waste sector in a sustainable manner; to eliminate or reduce environmental damage incurred during traditional waste dumping processes; and to support the creation of more in-country value in Oman by developing the waste sector.” He continued: “This new project will develop the infrastructure required to handle any waste and access materials that come out of industries in SOHAR in an environmentally sustainable way."



The new integrated facility will be equipped to deal with the large quantities of waste generated annually by the country’s burgeoning industrial sector, much of it from SOHAR, now one of the region’s primary industrial hubs. Jamal Aziz, SOHAR Freezone CEO, said: “Excellent road connectivity in SOHAR, as well as future rail links with other industrial hubs in the region, were some of the main factors for locating the treatment plant here."



The integrated industrial waste treatment facility will serve as the cornerstone of industrial waste management infrastructure being developed for SOHAR and will include a dedicated waste solidification facility; units for thermal, physical and chemical treatment designed to process different types of industrial waste; as well as landfills. The facility will treat and process waste with maximum safety in accordance with international standards.



The metals cluster in SOHAR creates solid waste, or slag, and Freezone CEO Jamal Aziz is particularly excited about one spinoff from the new facilities: “Soon we will be able to recycle industrial slag from our iron and steel production, and use it as aggregate for the new roads we’re building in our Freezone — the technology is world-class and although the initial quantities are small, this will be a significant milestone for our environmental management programme in SOHAR."



Sustainable waste management systems aim to reduce the quantity of natural resources consumed and ensure that any resources already taken from nature are reused or recycled many times; the amount of waste produced is kept to a minimum and this leads to a better carbon footprint. Experts from the Netherlands, embedded in the SOHAR Port and Freezone team, work closely with be’ah, Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA), and other stakeholders to ensure that SOHAR is always at the forefront of international environmental standards.



Speaking after the signing ceremony, SOHAR Port CEO, Andre Toet summed up the vision for Oman’s waste management when he said: “Behind all the technology and investment we’ve discussed today, our number one priority is very simple: we want to preserve the environment of this beautiful country Oman and for all generations to come."

• SOHAR staff and local students clean up Harmoul Beach

• Annual event aims to maintain Oman’s spectacular coastline

• Over 200 local students signed up to help with the clean up

Volunteers from SOHAR Port and Freezone came together with over 200 school and college students on Wednesday for the Harmoul Beach clean up. The event is a part of SOHAR’s Cleaner Greener community campaign, which aims to protect the local environment.



The clean up was held at Harmoul Beach and began with a briefing at SOHAR Port headquarters in which staff and students from participating schools were briefed on the importance of keeping beaches and ecosystems safe. After the briefing, volunteers collected and bagged rubbish from the beach, much of it plastic waste washed up and deposited by high tides.



By all accounts, the event was a huge success. Having issued an invite to schools and colleges, officials at SOHAR were stunned with the response they received.

We have been overwhelmed yet again, this year, with the positive response from students in the region and we are truly grateful to everyone who took part in the clean up and to everyone who helped organise it.



Good environmental practice is a key objective for SOHAR Port and Freezone. As a 50:50 partnership with Port of Rotterdam, SOHAR prides itself on some of the strictest and best policed environmental policies in the region, both above and below the water. It is the vision of SOHAR Port and Freezone to create and maintain an environment that is healthy, safe, and secure for staff, tenant industries and their employees, visitors and the surrounding community,” said Suwaid Al Shamaisi, Executive Manager of Corporate Affairs at SOHAR.



SOHAR maintains its commitment to protection of the environment and is the only Port in the Middle East to reward ships that are certified as being environmentally clean with a Green Award certificate. The certification allows ships to reap various financial and non-financial benefits. By offering the Green Award, SOHAR encourages sustainability and makes above standard operations economically attractive.

• SOHAR Golf Together Day allows local businesses to network

• Over 50 participants took part on the Ghala Golf Club course

• Focus is more on business networking than serious golfing skills

Over 50 staff and guests from SOHAR Port and Freezone hit the golf course in Muscat last weekend, as part of the SOHAR Golf Together 2015 event.



The Golf Together day, now in its second year, took place at Ghala Golf Club. The event is a networking opportunity for staff, senior managers of Port and Freezone tenant companies, shipping lines and their agents, and other local businesses.



Senior managers from SOHAR Port and Freezone were there, along with a few selected journalists, to discuss business developments in 2015 and look forward to the business year ahead. Golf novices were given professional coaching whilst the aficionados amongst the group got into the swing of things with a team tournament.



Andre Toet, CEO of SOHAR Port, said: “Last year’s Golf Together Day was a huge success, which is why we’ve decided to turn this into an annual event. Being out in the fresh air in a relaxed environment is sometimes a better place to discuss business and move things forward than in a meeting room.” Toet also handed out Awards for the day’s best golfers, including the “Best Neary Award”, a golfing expression for a drive or putt that gets very close to the hole, but then doesn’t quite make it...

• SOHAR commissions a new series of thought leadership reports

• Construction accounts for 50% of global steel consumption

• Regional infrastructure spend will drive strong steel demand

MEED Insight has released the first in a series of independently written thought leadership reports, sponsored by SOHAR Port and Freezone. The ‘2016 Middle East Iron and Steel Industry Report’, was launched exclusively to over 700 delegates at the Middle East Iron and Steel Conference in Dubai today.



Speaking at Atlantis The Palm Dubai, Andre Toet, Chief Executive of SOHAR Port and Freezone, presented extracts from the MEED Report to regional and international industry delegates. According to the Report, huge infrastructure spending in the Middle East is driving strong regional demand for steel. Residential, commercial, as well as mixed-use and transport infrastructure projects, have the biggest share of projected activities in the GCC region.



However, despite strong demand from regional projects, steel producers in the GCC region continue to struggle as steel prices and premiums continue to decline, coupled with increased steel imports from China and Turkey.



The full report looks at iron and steel consumption across the region; detailing trends in the GCC iron and steel markets over the last ten years; investments in infrastructure; demand drivers; the industries that are driving demand; challenges to the GCC’s domestic iron and steel manufacturers; and opportunities in the market for the GCC region, Oman, and specifically, SOHAR.



Andre Toet was upbeat on the back of Sunday’s signing with Chinese steel manufacturers Changbao, for a new plant to be developed in SOHAR Freezone. The facility will manufacture seamless steel pipes and casings, the kind used extensively in the regional oil and gas industry. “The metals cluster in SOHAR continues to grow apace and we are increasingly seeing more synergies between raw material imports through the Port, our steel smelting, manufacturing and distribution industries." 



Over the course of 2016, further reports will look at topics of particular relevance to SOHAR Port and Freezone, and the many industry verticals in which it operates. Andre Toet summed up: “We believe that the knowhow contained in reports of this kind can often be the spark behind sustainable change, and it’s this kind of innovation that we’ve set out to inspire."

• Three-day event for staff and Port/Freezone stakeholders

• Includes first aid training, driver safety and work-related injuries

• Aims to increase safety awareness in and around the Port

Under the patronage of Colonel Abdullah Bin Saleh Al- Ghailani – Commander of ROP North Al Batinah Governorate HQ, SOHAR Port and Freezone’s second annual Safety Week, has come to a close after another hugely successful year.



Entitled ‘Be Safe SOHAR’, this year’s annual Safety Week ran from 14-16 December. Exhibitors from the Civil Defence, Lifeline Hospital, Ministry of Manpower, International College of Engineering and Management and SOHAR Port and Freezone’s Corporate Affairs team all took part in the three-day event.



As part of the event, youngsters from local schools and colleges were invited to participate. Two seminars were also held to educate people on health and safety procedures at SOHAR Port and Freezone. Orthopaedic Specialist, Dr Mohammed Niaz, held a seminar on back pain, its causes and how to avoid it. Nurses from Sohar Hospital were also on hand to check staff members’ blood pressure, weight, BMI and blood sugar levels.



Engineer, Ayman Najeeb from Oman Petro Environmental Services Company LLC, also held a seminar which focused on the precautions and safety measurements of ship-to-ship bunkering.



Exhibitors were awarded trophies to thank them for their contribution and participants received a certificate to mark their successful completion of the programme. At the closing ceremony, Colonel Abdullah expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the team at SOHAR Port and Freezone for all of their efforts to raise awareness of safety and security on a day-to-day basis as well as in the Port area.



As well as this, Port and Freezone road users were invited to attend a defensive driving course with activities aimed at highlighting the need for a focus on local road safety. TPS/DriveWise, the company that led the course, worked with attendees on professional driving simulators to assess their skills and measure knowledge of rules and regulations, as well as driver behaviour.



“The safety of our staff and road users is of the upmost importance to us here at SOHAR Port and Freezone. While the numbers of road traffic incidents in Oman has reduced in recent years, there is still a lot to be done in terms of educating road users about the day-to-day risks involved with driving,” said Suwaid Al Shamaisi, Executive Manager Corporate Affairs.



He continued: “We have over 150 staff in our headquarters and many of them spend a significant amount of time sitting at computers for long periods of time. This has long been known to cause a number of health risks such as back and neck pain, stiffening of muscles and inflammation, which is why we invited external specialists in to educate our staff on work-related injuries and stress the importance of looking after your health.”

This week saw the arrival of four new post-Panamax quay cranes at SOHAR Port and Freezone’s state-of-the-art container terminal, as it continues its next phase of expansion. The facility is jointly owned by Hutchison (HPH) in Hong Kong, the Oman Government, C. Steinweg and other investors, and is operated by Oman International Container Terminal (OICT). In the summer of 2014, OICT shifted it operations to the new Terminal C at SOHAR in preparation for the relocation of all commercial traffic from Muscat’s Port Sultan Qaboos. Last year saw SOHAR handle nearly one million tons of cargo a week, a new record for the Port that only saw its first ship arrive in 2004.

The new cranes arrived by sea after a long journey from Shanghai, where world-leading quay crane specialists ZPMC manufactured them. The highly complex engineering challenge of offloading the cranes began on Monday and will take all week. First, temporary rail bridges were built from ship to shore in order to move the cranes to the quayside. Each crane weighs hundreds of tons, so the transport ship from ZPMC needed to be balanced by water ballast as the cranes were removed in order to keep its height constant above the water line and level with the quayside. With the unpredictability of tide movements and the weather this week, this was a huge challenge that demanded great skill and experience.

The new quay cranes will allow the container terminal to receive even bigger container vessels in future. The huge new cranes have an outreach to serve the very latest 10,000 TEU container ships that already serve SOHAR - and 20.000 TEU mega container ships in the future. The handling capacity for container traffic at OICT in SOHAR has more than doubled in the last two years. SOHAR Port CEO Andre Toet commented: “As more lines from Asia start to make more direct calls to SOHAR, and the size of those container vessels continues to increase, SOHAR Port Authority is actively working together with OICT and our other terminals to increase efficiency and help reduce costs.”

Andre Toet continued: “For example, OICT recently introduced an automated truck appointment system to further reduce turnaround times and our Port Management System (PMS) is a new online platform that allows agents to access and share real-time information on cargo movements. These technologies ultimately generate costs savings that we can pass on right the way along the supply chain and will help make Oman even more competitive as a regional logistics hub for the future.

SOHAR Port and Freezone headed east this week to participate in Breakbulk China 2016 – Asia’s largest conference and exhibition addressing the needs of break bulk and project cargo logistics.

Breakbulk China offers SOHAR invaluable opportunities to connect with shippers, international freight forwarders, logistics and transportation decision makers in Asia, along with over 160 other exhibitors. Thousands of specialists attended the four-day event at the World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai, home to the world’s number one container port.

SOHAR Port’s Executive Commercial Manager, Marc Evertse, speaking during a break in the conference said: “Last year, SOHAR Port saw a sharp increase in break bulk cargo shipments to over 1.9 million tons, increasing by 46% from 2014 to 2015. We’re also handling over 200,000 vehicles a year at the Port, making SOHAR a significant regional automotive hub for the Middle East.”

Break bulk continues to grow in the region thanks to the huge investments in infrastructure projects throughout the Middle East, offering significant opportunities on all sides of the business. Because of the prime location of SOHAR outside the Strait of Hormuz, and the Port’s seamless sea-road-air access right across the Arabian Peninsula, SOHAR has seen double-digit growth across all cargo volumes since operations started in 2004, and both Port and Freezone continue to grow rapidly. The Port’s general cargo terminal is operated by C. Steinweg Oman, part of the leading Rotterdam-based group with terminal operations all over the world.

A recent survey among Asian investors placed SOHAR as the region’s second most important business and logistics hub after Dubai’s JAFZA, which has been active since the 1980’s. “Being outside the Strait of Hormuz gives us a real advantage over other port and freezone sites in the Middle East when it comes to handling break bulk and project cargoes. Our multimodal infrastructure and ground handling capabilities are also equipped to be able to transport goods seamlessly throughout the region,” explained Andre Toet, SOHAR CEO. He continued: “in SOHAR we say ‘It all starts here’ and that is particularly true when it comes to our growing break bulk business.

As part of plans to further diversify its economy, Oman is fast developing new strategies that will add more value to the mining sector and the Sultanate’s substantial reserves of minerals. Some of those plans were unveiled in Muscat this week. They include the development of a complete supply chain, or SOHAR Dry Bulk Logistics Corridor, that will immediately enable the export of minerals that are mined and processed in Oman to international markets at competitive prices.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SOHAR Port and Freezone, Vale in Oman’s Distribution Center, and Oman National Investments Development Company SAOC “TANMIA®”, is the first step. The agreement builds on world-class infrastructure already in place in SOHAR, currently operated by Vale in Oman to import and export millions of tons of iron ore and pellets. The facilities allow the largest ships in the world, so-called Very Large Ore Carriers with a capacity of up to 400,000 tons each, to be berthed at the Port. Vale in Oman recently won the prestigious Best Specialist Dry Bulk Port Award for its SOHAR based terminal, at the International Bulk Journal Awards in Belgium.

Thanks to the excellent road connectivity in SOHAR and the upcoming cargo railway project, the agreement can immediately support the efficient flow of mining cargo to SOHAR Port. From there the minerals can be stockpiled, processed and exported to markets all over the world. Vale in Oman’s deep-water bulk jetty can provide the required services at globally competitive prices to help fuel further growth in SOHAR Port. The jetty is the longest in the region and ranks in the world’s top ten on draft. With Vale in Oman’s initial investment of around US$2 billion, there is no need for additional capital investment as the facilities are already operational since 2011.

“Oman is one of the most mineral rich countries in the MENA region and our strategy is to build on this to achieve competitiveness in the industrial minerals market and hence gain sustainable economic growth for the Sultanate,” said Rashid Saif Al Saadi, CEO of TANMIA®, one of the promoting entities of Minerals Development Oman SAOG, which is currently under formation. Vale in Oman’s CEO, Sergio Espeschit, added: “Since our operations were inaugurated and began operations four years ago, we committed to the Sultanate to create this SOHAR Dry Bulk Logistics Corridor which will directly benefit the mining and minerals sector in Oman. Our dry bulk terminal in SOHAR Port already has the necessary internal infrastructure and logistics capability to support the diversification of Oman’s economy that will enable the Sultanate’s minerals to reach global markets at competitive prices.”

SOHAR Port CEO Andre Toet summed up the agreement when he said: “Our existing dry bulk infrastructure is world class; this agreement is about utilizing that same investment for exports — and that makes so much sense for all of us; it should lead to more growth, more jobs and a more sustainable economic model for Oman.

SOHAR Port and Freezone headed to Brazil this week, the world’s seventh largest economy, to participate in Intermodal South America. Almost 50,000 professionals from the logistics, cargo and foreign trade industries gathered in Sao Paulo for the three-day event, the largest event of its kind in Latin America.

As part of World Port Network, SOHAR shared a stand in the Transamerica Expo Centre with its Brazilian partner Porto Central, and with its joint venture partner in Oman, Port of Rotterdam. SOHAR was there to promote the new Food Zone, a dedicated agro terminal in the Port with planned facilities for sugar, rice and grain processing. Thanks to ample space for downstream food industries and logistics, as well as abundant supplies of energy and raw materials for packaging, SOHAR offers an ideal hub for Brazilian food exporters targeting growing markets currently opening up in Iran and Saudi Arabia. Taken together, these two countries offer a combined population of over 110 million people, with annual food imports worth around US$40 billion.

SOHAR is no stranger to Brazilian industrial success stories; in 2012, Vale, the Brazilian mining giant, opened its US$2 billion iron ore pelletizing plant in the Port and has since imported close to 45 million tons of ore for processing.

As Oman looks to become a major logistics hub for the Middle East, Intermodal was the perfect occasion to meet some of Latin America’s main exporters. South America remains one of the fastest growing regions for the logistics, cargo and foreign trade industries worldwide, with Brazil alone accounting for more than US$350 billion worth of logistics revenue, a figure that has more than doubled over the last decade. Andre Toet, CEO at SOHAR Port commented: “Intermodal is a great chance for SOHAR to connect with industry professionals. Nearly 70% of attendees this year are cargo shippers looking for new solutions, and the show will allow us to generate a great number of leads and network with key players in this important market.”

Oman’s logistics sector is projected to grow beyond the $12 billion mark by 2017 as part of Oman’s Vision 2020 programme. This is unsurprising, considering the Sultanate’s prime geographical location, with SOHAR Port and Freezone strategically positioned outside the Strait of Hormuz. Combined with the excellent infrastructure already available and currently under construction, as well as the Sultanate’s stable political climate and excellent relations with Iran, as well as its Gulf State neighbours, these are all ingredients contributing to the continued growth of the logistics industry in Oman.

CEO Andre Toet summed up his ambitions for the new Food Zone when he said: “When talking to Brazilian investors, we say in SOHAR Food Zone they will find ‘The right mix’ — ‘A mistura com jeito’.

·      New US$ 46 million copper tube mill to open in SOHAR Freezone

·      3.5 hectare plant will have 15,000 tons of copper tube (ACR) capacity

·      Construction starts October 2016 and production by October 2018



The success story continues at SOHAR Port and Freezone, with the signing this week of a 35,000 square metre land-lease agreement for a major new copper tube mill in SOHAR Freezone. A further 30,000 square metres of land has been set aside to increase the plant’s capacity to 30,000 tons in the future. Construction will commence later this year and the plant is due for start-up by mid-2018, with full production scheduled by October 2018.







With a capacity of 15,000 metric tons of high technology copper tubing per annum, this latest addition to the burgeoning Freezone metals cluster will produce mainly inner-grooved copper tubes, as well as plain copper tubes. Both these products are widely used in the manufacturing of heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems. The plant’s technology is most commonly known as ‘cast and roll’ and comprises of three distinct production stages. The raw materials, copper cathodes that are then formed directly into mother tubes, will be sourced from Iran or the local market.



Investments in the plant, that total around US$ 46 million, are to be split between four main shareholders: Middle East Investment Company, Mohsin Haider Darwish Invesco, Hussain bin Salman Ghulam Al Lawati, and Al Habib Holdings. Once operational, the new plant is expected to generate 30,000 tons of copper throughputs at SOHAR Port and another 35,000 square metres of landside logistics volume.



Although the bear market in copper, driven by global oversupply and reduced demand in China continues to push global copper prices lower, this is yet another sign that SOHAR is in the right place at the right time, according to Jamal T. Aziz, SOHAR Freezone Chief Executive: “As Oman and its GCC neighbours take active measures towards diversifying their economies, more investments are flowing into sectors such as infrastructure, real estate and hotels, driving significant demand for copper tubes in the construction industry; these tubes are the basic components for every freshwater and cooling system in the region.”



Mr. Aziz continued: “It’s estimated that the per capita value of the GCC’s construction industry will increase from around US$ 2,000 per person in 2014, to well over US$ 3,000 by 2020, and this latest plant in SOHAR is ideally located to serve the region, thanks to our outstanding connectivity to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as the Port’s proximity and our excellent ties to Iran.” 

 • MSC joins other major lines to add SOHAR as regular call

• SOHAR Port now handles one million tons of cargo every week

• MSC has 480 offices in 150 countries and employs 25,000 staff



SOHAR is celebrating again this week as MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Services), since 2003 the world’s second largest container shipper with over 2.7m TEU per year, adds the Omani Port and logistical hub as a regular call. Founded in 1970 in Geneva, Switzerland, the carrier operates 200 direct and combined services weekly, calling at approximately 335 ports. Today MSC has 480 offices in 150 countries and employs more than 25,000 staff.







Officials from SOHAR Port and Freezone, as well as executives from Oman International Container Terminal (OICT), part of Hong Kong’s Hutchison Group, were on the quayside on Thursday to greet the MSC Lana. This latest addition highlights once again that SOHAR is establishing itself as the preferred Gateway to the Gulf for many major international operators. Thanks to its prime location outside the Strait of Hormuz and its excellent hinterland connections to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as its proximity to Iran, SOHAR has become one of the world’s fastest growing Port and Freezone developments with investments today totaling US$ 25 billion. 



The inaugural ceremony celebrated the continued and successful growth of the Port, where handling capacity at the state-of-the-art container terminal has doubled since 2014. With the relocation of all commercial traffic from Muscat to SOHAR, and the newly expanded Terminal C fully operational, the Port is now equipped to manage 1.5 million TEUs per year. OICT has recently added four new remote-controlled quay cranes, capable of handling 20,000 TEU vessels, as well as an automated truck appointment system, to reduce turnaround times at the terminal. 



MSC is the latest major shipping line to join SOHAR over the past twelve months, with SOHAR welcoming the arrival of global lines Evergreen and Hanjin in 2015. SOHAR Chief Executive Andre Toet says: “The growth in both size and efficiency at our OICT operated container terminal has led to more new lines and many more connections. This continued growth at SOHAR helps us to increase efficiencies and sink costs, savings that can be passed on all the way through the supply chain.” 



Chief Executive of OICT, Albert Pang, summed up: "It is with great pleasure that OICT welcomes MSC to our new facilities at SOHAR. This service is evidence of shipping lines\` confidence in OICT\`s growing prominence as Oman\`s gateway for international trade. A combination of the latest IT systems and technology, a highly-skilled workforce and continuous investments in facilities, allow us to offer customers the highest standards of service and efficiency.”

• Vale in Oman celebrates one hundred VLOCs 

• Close to 40 million tons of iron ore imported in first four years 

• SOHAR is on world’s top ten ports list for very large ore carriers



This week, SOHAR greeted the one-hundredth Very Large Ore Carrier, or VLOC, to berth at the Port since Vale in Oman’s operations started in 2011. Weighing in at 388,000dwt and measuring 366 metres in length, more than the height of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the MV Berge Everest is part of a large fleet of specialised ships that transport iron ore around the globe for the Brazilian mining giant. SOHAR Port is part of a small network of deep-water facilities worldwide, equipped to handle this type of vessel. Other ports in the network outside Vale’s native Brazil, include SOHAR JV-partner Port of Rotterdam, as well as selected ports in Japan, Korea and China, and specially constructed floating jetties in the Philippines. 







Officials from SOHAR Port and Freezone, as well as executives from Vale in Oman, were waiting at the SOHAR bulk terminal on Monday to greet the Berge Everest. The brief ceremony celebrated the ship’s safe arrival in SOHAR and the industrial success story of Vale in Oman. Officials highlighted the positive environmental impact of VLOCs as a critical factor: a fully laden VLOC emits around 35% less CO2 than if smaller, traditional ore carriers were used.



Chief Executive of Vale in Oman, Sergio Espechit, said: "It is with great pleasure that Vale in Oman welcomes Berge Everest as the one-hundredth VLOC to our facilities in SOHAR. These vessels play a critical role in our global logistics strategy but also impact us locally. Thanks to a combination of the latest technology, our highly-skilled workforce and continuous investment in our facilities, we are proud to say Vale in Oman operates here at the highest standards of safety, service and efficiency.” 



International experts confirmed the world-class standards at the terminal in SOHAR, when Vale in Oman won the prestigious International Bulk Journal’s Award for the Best Dry Bulk Terminal at a ceremony in Antwerp, Belgium, recently. In large part thanks to its prime location just outside the Strait of Hormuz, as well as a draft of up to 25 metres, SOHAR has become one of the world’s fastest growing Port and Freezone developments with investments today totalling US$ 25 billion. 



SOHAR Chief Executive Andre Toet summed up when he said: “We are delighted to have Vale as our partner here at SOHAR and are proud to be part of Vale in Oman’s success story; we look forward to more growth and to welcoming the next one hundred VLOC ships in the years ahead.” 

• Food inspection training meets exacting international standards

• Specialised health, agricultural and veterinary inspectors attend

• Investments from UAE and India are flowing into SOHAR Food Zone



SOHAR Port and Freezone was preparing itself for further significant growth this week, as the first onsite training course for employees of the Food Inspection Department kicked off. 



SOHAR is busy creating the region’s first Food Zone, a dedicated agro terminal at the Port with planned quayside facilities for grain, rice and sugar processing, and ample space for downstream food manufacturing and packaging industries. Thanks to world-class connectivity and abundant supplies of energy and raw materials for packaging, including plastics, aluminium and steel, SOHAR offers the perfect base for food companies wishing to set up new Middle East operations. In large part thanks to Port of Rotterdam’s experience with similar agro-industrial projects in Europe, the new Food Zone was well planned from the outset and has already generated significant interest in the market; investors from the UAE and India have already signed LLA’s to develop their own facilities. 



The course looked at the holistic processes involved in Food Safety Management, a comprehensive system of procedures necessary to meet the highest international standards of food inspection and food safety. More than twenty participants, professionals from the health, agricultural and veterinary quarantine departments at the Port, received detailed instruction about the latest principles for checking and inspecting many different foodstuffs. 



Expert lecturer Hajar Al Sayed Ibrahim led the weeklong course; he is certified as a trainer by the US-based ServSafeTM organisation, and works closely with the Public Authority for Consumer Protection in Muscat, managing many of their food-safety trainings. The course was authorised by Oman’s Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and units covered Food Inspectors’ duties, including validating documents and certificates; methods for collecting and preserving samples in the field and how to correlate them against a shipment’s certification; procedures for temporary seizure, destruction or return of substandard food shipments; as well as a full review of the latest Gulf and international best-practice food standards.



Speaking at the edge of a conference on Human Capital at the International Maritime College Oman (IMCO) this week, SOHAR Port CEO Andre Toet said: “All our multi-billion Dollar infrastructure investments in SOHAR Port and Freezone will only ever be as good as the people managing them; this is why we will continue to invest in training the best possible teams at SOHAR to ensure smooth operations at the highest international standards.”

• SOHAR is first Middle East Port with full LED street lighting 

• New Philips lighting system will reduce power usage by up to 60%

• No glare lights will also enhance road safety around the Port



SOHAR Port and Freezone announced another first this week, with the installation of a full LED street lighting system for the Port and Freezone concession areas. Before the end of the year, over 2,200 streetlights will have been replaced with new energy efficient and low-maintenance luminaires from Philips. The new LED fixtures have a burn time of over 60,000 hours, without replacement or major maintenance, equivalent to around twelve years of normal usage.







Following a two-year research and testing phase for the best international solutions, SOHAR has invested over US$ 750,000 in the upgrade, which will substantially help to reduce carbon emissions thanks to power savings of around 60%. The Port plans to break even on the investment with reduced utility costs within four years. 



In the future, the system can be upgraded to dim automatically when no one is using the road, to further reduce power usage. And there are long-term plans to power the system independently from the grid, using solar panels or other renewable energy sources. Safety in the Port’s concession areas will also be enhanced thanks to better lighting, especially at road junctions, and the evenly spread, low-glare quality of Philips LED lighting. 



SOHAR has a well-earned reputation in the region for being at the forefront of environmental initiatives. SOHAR plays an active part in the World Ports Climate Initiative (WPCI), and uses the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) to identify seagoing ships that perform better in reducing emissions than required by current global standards. SOHAR rewards cleaner ships by discounting its Port tariffs through the so-called Green Award scheme. 



“For many international companies, the involvement of a world-class port like Rotterdam is a key contributing factor for their decision to invest in SOHAR,” says Andre Toet, CEO at SOHAR Port and Freezone. He continues: “All operations, marine and land side, must comply with best international practices and, as we continue to grow rapidly, we have to develop new concepts for the environmental management of the industrial complex as a whole; our new LED streetlights are just one recent example on the road ahead.” 



Rami Hajjar, General Manager of Philips Lighting in the Middle East added: “The world’s population will grow by some 2.5 billion people by year 2050, and 80% of the world’s population will live in cities; therefore, we will need more light and more energy efficient light. Today, fewer than 12% of the world’s streetlights are LED and it is crucial to use energy efficient LED lighting for a sustainable world.”

The management of SOHAR Port and Freezone usually measures its success in throughput tonnage, the number of ships visiting Port, or the statistics around so-called TEUs – the measurement for shipping containers. But this week, the region’s fastest growing Port and Freezone development added a new statistic to its on-going success story — the number of boots, football boots to be precise.

As in previous years, the 2016 SOHAR Port and Freezone Cup will take place during Ramadan. And this year’s tournament promises to be bigger and better than ever, with well over 400 participants divided among 32 participating teams, and over 60 matches scheduled over the next three weeks.

As well as sharing expertise across many areas of business, SOHAR Port and the Port of Rotterdam also share a common passion for football, a sport that like no other has the power to cross borders. SOHAR Port CEO, Andre Toet, and Freezone CEO, Jamal Aziz, were on hand to welcome the players to the first match on the Al Arabi football field, near Sallan roundabout in SOHAR, last night. The tournament was developed to celebrate teamwork and health during the holy month of Ramadan.

The teams come from SOHAR Port and Freezone tenant companies, as well as their contractors and subcontractors, and from the Port Authority itself. Last year’s Champions, Sohar Aluminum, are among the favourites for this year’s SOHAR Cup, with Oman International Container Terminal, part of Hong Kong’s Hutchison Whampoa group, also hotly tipped by insiders as favourites to take home the 2016 trophy. The players on the field last night were an eclectic mix of Omanis and expats from countries across the globe, including Brazil, China, Spain, and, of course, the Netherlands – a fascinating mix of international playing styles, you might otherwise find only in a major European competition.

SOHAR Port CEO, Andre Toet, praised the tournament: “There is no other game with the power to cross cultures and inspire passion, unite people and transcend social boundaries in the way that football can. Football teaches invaluable skills: teamwork, dedication and competition, all attributes which have helped us to build our business and sustain double-digit growth, right here in SOHAR.

As Iran reopens its doors to international business across many sectors, the first Iranian Steel Tube and Pipe Conference kicked off in Tehran yesterday. The two-day conference focuses on Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) and line pipe products, with expert speakers from Iran and around the world.

SOHAR Commercial Manager Middle East, Anders Kron, is one of the keynote speakers at the conference, the first of its kind in Iran following the lifting of international nuclear-related sanctions in January 2016, a move that has started to transform Iran\`s political and economic climate. The international event covers the whole supply chain from raw materials, through trade routes and pricing, process technology, tube and pipe production, to end users and demand drivers.

Mr. Kron described SOHAR Port and Freezone to delegates as the new metals Gateway to the Gulf, thanks to strong historical ties between Oman and Iran, and the proximity of the two nations, a distance of barely more than 50km by sea. SOHAR is already home to a significant international metals cluster with iron and steel producers including Vale from Brazil; Jindal from India; Changbao from China; and Sohar Steel from Oman. Thanks to investments today totalling over US$25 billion, and seamless sea/road/air connectivity to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, SOHAR is one of the world’s fastest growing Port and Freezone developments.

SOHAR CEO, Andre Toet, said: “Iran is the largest steel maker in the MENA region and is currently attracting investments from all over the world into its iron and steel industries. The conference in Tehran allows us to gain crucial insights into the Iranian market and this opportunity for face-to-face networking with leading Iranian steel companies is the ideal platform to showcase everything that SOHAR has to offer.”

With huge new projects planned in the South Pars oilfields and a multitude of oil, gas and water pipelines planned in Iran, there is much to discuss at the conference. The World Steel Association (WSA) said Iran’s raw steel output in January totalled 1.4 million tons, rising nearly 20 per cent compared to the same period last year. In February, Iran announced that it is investing more than $2.2 billion in its steel industry, as the country plans to build seven new facilities to boost steel production capacity and become a net exporter. Experts predict that the Islamic Republic will be able to produce 55 million tons of crude steel per year within ten years.

This week, SOHAR greeted the one-hundredth Very Large Ore Carrier, or VLOC, to berth at the Port since Vale in Oman’s operations started in 2011. Weighing in at 388,000dwt and measuring 366 metres in length, more than the height of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the MV Berge Everest is part of a large fleet of specialised ships that transport iron ore around the globe for the Brazilian mining giant. SOHAR Port is part of a small network of deep-water facilities worldwide, equipped to handle this type of vessel. Other ports in the network outside Vale’s native Brazil, include SOHAR JV-partner Port of Rotterdam, as well as selected ports in Japan, Korea and China, and specially constructed floating jetties in the Philippines.

Officials from SOHAR Port and Freezone, as well as executives from Vale in Oman, were waiting at the SOHAR bulk terminal on Monday to greet the Berge Everest. The brief ceremony celebrated the ship’s safe arrival in SOHAR and the industrial success story of Vale in Oman. Officials highlighted the positive environmental impact of VLOCs as a critical factor: a fully laden VLOC emits around 35% less CO2 than if smaller, traditional ore carriers were used.

Chief Executive of Vale in Oman, Sergio Espechit, said: "It is with great pleasure that Vale in Oman welcomes Berge Everest as the one-hundredth VLOC to our facilities in SOHAR. These vessels play a critical role in our global logistics strategy but also impact us locally. Thanks to a combination of the latest technology, our highly-skilled workforce and continuous investment in our facilities, we are proud to say Vale in Oman operates here at the highest standards of safety, service and efficiency.”

International experts confirmed the world-class standards at the terminal in SOHAR, when Vale in Oman won the prestigious International Bulk Journal’s Award for the Best Dry Bulk Terminal at a ceremony in Antwerp, Belgium, recently. In large part thanks to its prime location just outside the Strait of Hormuz, as well as a draft of up to 25 metres, SOHAR has become one of the world’s fastest growing Port and Freezone developments with investments today totalling US$ 25 billion.

SOHAR Chief Executive Andre Toet summed up when he said: “We are delighted to have Vale as our partner here at SOHAR and are proud to be part of Vale in Oman’s success story; we look forward to more growth and to welcoming the next one hundred VLOC ships in the years ahead.

The visit on Friday of His Excellency Dr Ahmed Mohammed Salem Al-Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, and His Excellency Sultan bin Salim Al Habsi, Chairman of the Board of SOHAR Port and Freezone and Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Planning, marked the official completion of Terminal C at Oman International Container Terminal (OICT) in SOHAR Port. The visit included the opening of the new Operations Control Centre (OCC), and the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Remote Control Crane Centre. The new facility allows the remote operation of recently installed quayside cranes that have sufficient reach to load and unload 20,000 TEU ships. As a taste of things to come, today saw the first visit of a 13,000 TEU vessel to SOHAR Port, the MV MSC Altair at 366 metres the largest container vessel ever to visit the Omani logistics hub.

OICT is moving into a new era of automation in SOHAR, in line with continued growth in container throughput that has more than doubled in just eighteen months. In addition to faster turnaround times facilitated through automated loading and unloading systems, OICT now boasts an online truck appointment system. The new communications software schedules container truck arrival times at the terminal through direct contact with the truck operators and drivers, reducing waiting times and minimising environmental impact by avoiding unnecessary fuel wastage.

Albert Pang, Chief Executive Officer of OICT, said: “I am proud to say that our investments in SOHAR have helped to create the world-class facility we can see working at peak efficiency today. OICT is handling more frequent direct calls from mega-vessels at Terminal C, which can handle the latest class of 20,000 TEU container ships. The construction of Terminal D will increase our annual handling capacity fourfold, to six million TEU, and construction may start as early as late 2018 or early 2019.”

In addition to the new quayside cranes, OICT has invested heavily in new rubber-tyre gantry cranes (RTGCs) to further increase efficiency in the stack yards. The old container Terminal B is now being fully reconstructed as SOHAR Food Zone, a dedicated agro berth with planned facilities for rice, grain and sugar processing. Planning work is also progressing on Terminal D, a massive new container terminal in SOHAR that will boast a 1.2 kilometre long jetty once commissioned. SOHAR now handles over one million tons of cargo a week and more than 2,500 ships a year.

Welcoming the MV MSC Altair to the Port, SOHAR CEO, Andre Toet, said: “It’s hard to imagine that we only saw our first ship here in SOHAR a little over ten years ago. The growth in size and efficiency at OICT is phenomenal and we are proud to be able to partner with companies like Hutchison Port Holdings to operate our terminals. As we look around this amazing facility today, I am proud to be able to say to all our distinguished guests: ‘Welcome to the new Gateway to the Gulf.

In its annual search for the best free zones, fDi Magazine, a part of the UK’s Financial Times newspaper group, has selected SOHAR Freezone as winner of the New Investments Award in the 2016 fDi Magazine Free Zones of The Year Awards. SOHAR is the only winner in this category in the Middle East region. Editor Courtney Fingar congratulated SOHAR on this significant achievement as she presented the Award to SOHAR Executive Commercial Manager Marc Evertse.

Freezone CEO, Jamal T. Aziz, commenting on the New Investments Award said: “Despite the currently low oil prices and all the global economic volatility, interest in SOHAR Freezone has not declined and we have seen some significant new investments signed over the past year. For example, Chinese investors from the Jiangsu Changbao Steel Tube Company are building a greenfield steel mill to produce seamless steel pipes for a broad range of industries, including oil and gas extraction, chemicals, automobiles and machinery manufacturing.”

The prospects for continued strong growth at SOHAR Freezone look positive, with its prime location next door to one of the world’s fastest growing ports, handling over 2,500 ships a year and an abundant supply of feedstock. Combined with excellent landside connectivity, boasting new and uncongested highways to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf States, reasonable energy rates and a supportive legal and regulatory framework, SOHAR Freezone is well on track for more success in the years ahead as planning commences to develop phase two.

SOHAR CEO Mark Geilenkirchen said he was delighted about the decision from fDi Magazine: “Oman is concentrating on the logistics and transportation sector through a consolidated and long-term logistics strategy. The plan is to improve soft infrastructure, support mechanisms and national institutions, to catapult the Sultanate into the top ten of the world’s most logistics-friendly economies by 2040. As one of the region’s prime logistical hubs, SOHAR will play a critical role in these plans. We envisage developing the Freezone as a hub for innovation, especially in the logistics sector.”

The fDi New Investments Award was a timely reminder that setting up a Freezone business in the Middle East was never more straightforward thanks to the One-Stop-Shop system that SOHAR has developed over the past few years. The system gives overseas and GCC investors a single point of contact to handle all the permits that need to be granted. Once a company is established, SOHAR Freezone allows 100% foreign ownership and free repatriation of capital and profits; corporate tax holidays of up to 25 years; and no personal income tax, currency restrictions or duty on imports and exports.

Organised by Oman Expo, in association with the Royal Oman Police, the Oman Traffic Safety 2016 aims to redouble efforts to curb the rise of serious road accidents on the Sultanate’s highways. Hosted at Oman International Exhibition Centre (OIEC), from 18-20 October 2016, the three-day event aims to spread awareness about traffic rules and road safety to help prevent accidents.



Suwaid Al Shamaisi, Executive Manager Corporate Affairs at SOHAR Port and Freezone, whose HSSE Team are active participants in this year’s event, said: “SOHAR has developed many excellent safety initiatives in recent years, including our own Annual Safety Week. We design our programmes not only to improve road safety within our own Port and Freezone areas, but also to actively encourage participants to take what they have learned back outside our gates and onto Oman’s public highways.”

Following Royal Directives from His Majesty Sultan Qaboos in 2010, that underscored the importance of road safety, the event showcases the latest traffic safety products to policy makers and stakeholders. By improving understanding among all stakeholders on how technology and best-practice can assist in accident reduction, the event aims to encourage safety culture within companies in Oman, and raise awareness among the general public on safety-related rules of the road that will lead to a safer driving environment.

Jamal T. Aziz, SOHAR Freezone CEO, spoke of his full support for traffic safety initiatives in the Sultanate: “As one of the Sultanate’s main logistical hubs, we will do whatever it takes at SOHAR to help create more understanding about road safety, more awareness of risks, and more education on safer driving practices. Our recent courses for school bus drivers visiting the Port was a great example of what that can look like in practice, and we will continue to develop more activities like this at every possible opportunity.

• The Maritime Standards Awards now in its third year in Dubai

• SOHAR throughput has reached over one million tonnes a week

• First ship berthed in 2004, now well over 2,500 ships a year



SOHAR Port and Freezone beat off tough competition from some of the region’s most prominent ports to take home The Maritime Standards Port of the Year Award 2016, at the world-famous Atlantis The Palm Dubai last week. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, The Maritime Standards is an annual maritime industry event, hosted in Dubai and now in its third year.







More than 700 of the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent industry’s decision makers, including chairmen, chief executives and directors from all the leading shipping companies, ports, terminal operators and maritime organisations attended the glittering ceremony in The Atlantis Ballroom. The Awards recognise the achievements of organisations and individuals across the region and, in total, 30 different Maritime Standard Awards were presented to winners across a broad range of maritime industry categories.



Speaking after receiving the Award on stage, Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of SOHAR Port, said: “It is a tremendous honour for us to receive Port of the Year Award tonight and I am immensely proud of everything that our team has achieved in SOHAR; this Award recognises the enormous efforts of all our staff, terminal operators and tenants who work together tirelessly to continuously raise the bar on our services.”



Only last week, SOHAR Freezone announced that it had won the prestigious fDi Magazine Free Zones of the Year Award for New Investments. fDi Magazine is part of the UK’s Financial Times Group and SOHAR was the only winner in this category in the Middle East region. SOHAR Freezpne CEO Jamal T. Aziz summed up the sentiment at SOHAR this week: “It is easy to forget just how far we have come in such a short space of time; our first ship only berthed in 2004, and we are now one of the fastest growing port and free zone developments in the world. The winning combination we have here of a fast growing, regional hub Port in a prime location, with an adjacent, customer-friendly and optimally connected Freezone, is the single biggest key to our success. We are honoured that The Maritime Standards Award judges have selected SOHAR as Port of the Year and we will continue to do everything within our power to live up to that high benchmark.”

The industrial Port of Sohar is a deep sea port and has grown tremendously in size and importance in only eight years since its start in 2003. The port received the first vessel in April 2004. Last year the Port of Sohar handled more than 2200 ship movements and the number is still growing.

At this stage the need of a professional linesmen service was evident and a detailed tender process took place. One of the most important criteria was the high Omanisation level and Al Batinah International linesmen and cleaning services was awarded the contract in December 2010.

A linesman is responsible for the mooring and unmooring of all seagoing vessels. In cooperation with the crew they bring the ropes or wires from the ship ashore to their colleagues waiting on the quay to put them on the shore bollards.

Through Al Batinah International linesmen and cleaning services the Port of Sohar is served by 30 Omani linesmen, a mooring boat, special communication equipment etc.



To ensure that all the Omani linesmen are trained according to the best international practices, the Sohar Industrial Port Company SAOC (SIPC) offered a one month training program in the Netherlands with the Royal Dutch Linesmen Association at their own expenses.

Once completed at the end of March this year the linesmen will receive a certificate which enables them to moor and unmoor the biggest vessels in the world that the Port of Sohar will receive at the new jetty as one of the very few ports in the world.

For further information please contact;



Annica Sigevall,

Head of Corporate Communication

Sohar Industrial Port Company SAOC (SIPC)

annica.sigevall@soharportandfreezone.com

The Port of Sohar is up and running and business is as usual.

Both the Marine traffic and traffic by road in and out of the port is flowing.

For any inquiries, please send an e-mail to info@soharportandfreezone.com

Executive Management SIPC

January 17, two licenses for the establishment of world class bunker operations in the Sohar Port and Freezone were signed in Muscat, Oman. HE Maqbool Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of Sohar Industrial Port Company SAOC (SIPC), together with the CEO Jan Meijer, signed for SIPC with Shell Oman Marketing / Shell Marine Products and with the upcoming joint venture between Oman Oil Marketing Company (Oman Oil) and Matrix Marine Holding GmbH (Matrix Marine).

The Sohar Port and Freezone consists of an increasing number of industries as well as modern expanding terminals. It has developed from a port under construction into a fully operational port. The management of the port feels it is important that the development of the services offered keeps abreast of the rapidly increasing number of ships calling the port. As the port authority and landlord of the Sohar Port and Freezone, SIPC stimulates additional services to facilitate these already imminent developments. Taking the requirements of vessels into account, it was only natural that, next to the existing services, the introduction of marine bunker fuels was considered.

Mr. Jan Meijer, CEO of SIPC said, “With the increase of vessels calling the port, and with the growing focus on the Sohar Port and Freezone, we are very pleased to sign new important agreements that show our strengths and our progress, and that we have such important global organizations like Shell Marine Products and Matrix Marine with their local partners directly involved.”

The Sohar Port and Freezone announced today that from Mid-June 2010, Shell and Matrix/Oman Oil Marketing Company will offer Marine Fuels of different grades to vessels calling the port itself, or calling at the extended anchorage area which is very close to the international shipping route to and from the Strait of Hormuz.

For further information with the companies involved please contact:

 Please click here for more details

SOHAR Port’s Chief Executive Officer Andre Toet spoke on stage on Monday evening at the 2013 SeaTrade Middle East Awards dinner at Atlantis The Palm Dubai, as he received the prestigious 2013 Port Authority Award. Toet said he was honored that the Award had been given to SOHAR, Oman’s number one port.

“This a great moment for SOHAR,” Toet said, in front of a who’s who audience of the region’s port and logistics companies, including many VIPs from the UAE and around the Gulf region. Other nominated finalists for the Award included Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) and DP World.

CEO Toet continued: “This is a fantastic accolade for a fantastic location — SOHAR is the natural gateway to the Gulf and the world is waking up to us as a prime contender for international businesses targeting the UAE and Saudi.” At the red carpet event Andre Toet announced his plans for the next stage of SOHAR’s exponential growth story. Over the coming weeks, SOHAR will launch a multi-million Dollar marketing campaign to target international investors for the port and free zone operations in SOHAR.

The campaign will run under the motto: “SOHAR It all starts here” and will focus on key growth markets in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Because of SOHAR’s prime position as a deep-water port outside the Strait of Hormuz, coupled with the abundance of low-cost energy and feedstock like petrochemicals, iron and steel and aluminum, the port and associated free zone has seen unparalleled growth over the past ten years.

SOHAR now ranks as one of the world’s largest port and free zone operations, with total investments worth over US$ 21 Billion. The port was launched in 2002 as a joint venture between the Port of Rotterdam and the Government of Oman and the associated free zone was added in 2009.

Click here to download pdf file

Andre Toet: “We have an obligation to go out and tell the world what is happening in SOHAR. This is a real success story for Oman and the Gulf region and the opportunities for new investors coming in are mind boggling.” Toet continued: “With our new expressways, coupled with the upcoming GCC railway and SOHAR Airport, we are fast becoming the perfect gateway to the Middle East: a prime logistics hub for international companies who want the best access to the Gulf region.

We believe ‘It all starts here’ is a great way to sum up our approach to business opportunity — there are so many success stories out there just waiting to happen in SOHAR.”

The complex operation to offload three, quayside container gantry cranes that arrived at SOHAR Port and Freezone last week has been successfully completed. Despite initial setbacks due to poor weather, the last of three massive Post Panamax cranes was safely brought to shore by end of day on Tuesday. These high-tech cranes were built to order by ZPMC in Shanghai, and represent a further multi-million Dollar investment by Oman International Container Terminal (OICT) in the future of SOHAR as the new gateway to the Gulf.

Quay Crane 106 is slowly transferred to the port side from the ZPMC ship across temporary rails

As the owner and operator of the cranes, OICT is supervising their delivery and installation in SOHAR following a four weeklong, 6,500-mile sea journey. The offloading is a highly complex engineering challenge. The OICT engineer supervising the operation explains: “We’ve built temporary rail bridges from ship to shore so we can move the cranes to the quayside. Each crane weighs hundreds of tons, so the transport ship needs to be balanced by water ballast as the cranes are removed in order to keep its height above the water line constant. Add to that the tide movements and the weather, and you can imagine the challenges we are dealing with.”

The Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGC) on the new Terminal C quay

He pauses to instruct the team of Chinese engineering specialists busy with the operation and continues: “Safety is always our number one priority at OICT and this operation has been planned and rehearsed over and over again. Once the crane is on the quay we will need to jack it up to remove the temporary wheels and then we move it very slowly onto its permanent tracks embedded in the quay.”

The huge new cranes have an outreach of 52m to service very large container ships, and will be equipped to pick-up two 20-foot containers simultaneously, further increasing productivity in SOHAR. They are part of the new high-tech Terminal-C development which, once completed, will give SOHAR another significant boost in terms of its competitiveness in the Gulf region. The new Terminal-C in SOHAR is planned to be one of the most advanced in the region and is being developed in three phases. Once fully completed, OICT will more than double its current capacity, targeting 1.5 million containers (TEUs) annually.

Two bulldozers pull the crane across the quay to its permanent location

Andre Toet, CEO of SOHAR Port is sure: “What you see in SOHAR is the face of one of the most successful collaborations this region has seen; the wise vision of Oman’s Government coupled with the expertise of the Port of Rotterdam. SOHAR has success written all over it and our new container terminal is just another part of that ongoing story.”

SOHAR Port and Freezone announces that participating ships under the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) with a valid ESI score higher than 20 points will enjoy a rebate of 5 % on the port dues inside port basin with effect from 1 January 2014.

The total rebate amount under this scheme during the year is subject to a maximum amount of 1 % of the total port dues during the previous year.

The reward scheme will be reviewed annually to promote good environmental performance in maritime industries and to adopt international best practices.

 

SOHAR Port and Freezone has outlined its commitment to the environment by becoming the first port in the Middle East to introduce a scheme that rewards ships from around the world who showcase good environmental performance. Worldwide there are just twenty ports who offer such an incentive.

As part of the World Port Climate Initiative (WPCI), key ports from around the world have acknowledged their unique capacity as key hubs in global supply chains, by committing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions while continuing their role as transportation and economic centers. This is done through influencing the sustainability of supply chains and taking into account local circumstances and varying port management structures.

One of the projects within the WPCI is the Environmental Ship Index (ESI). The ESI identifies seagoing ships that perform better in reducing air emissions than required by the current emission standards of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The ESI evaluates the amount of nitrogen oxide (NOX), sulphur oxide (SOX) and particulate matter (PM) that is released by a ship and includes a reporting scheme on the greenhouse gas emission of the ship.

The ESI is a good indication of the environmental performance of ocean going vessels and identifies cleaner ships in a general way. Worldwide there are around 1,700 ships with a valid ESI score: the cleaner the ship the higher the score. The index is intended to be used by ports to reward ships when they participate in the ESI and will promote clean ships, but can also be used by shippers and ship owners.

To promote good environmental performance in maritime industries and to adopt international best practices SOHAR Port and Freezone has set up a reward scheme as an incentive for clean ships who call at the port. The reward scheme consists of a rebate on the port dues which will be offered to ESI Participating ships. Details of the reward scheme will be published on www.soharportandfreezone.com.

“SOHAR Port and Freezone is looking forward to setting a new standard in the region to reward operators for improving the environmental performance of their fleets” said Andre Toet, CEO of SOHAR Port and Freezone. “This initiative will contribute to reduction of air emissions from ships and will have a positive influence on the quality of the living environment of the communities in the vicinity of ports and contributes significantly to highlighting our commitment to the environment.”

The Chief Executive of SOHAR, Andre Toet, oversaw official proceedings as Oman Fasteners signed this latest tenancy agreement. The agreement underlines SOHAR Port and Freezone’s growing importance to the economy of Oman. This is based not only on the rapid expansion in container and general cargo capacity at the Port, but also as more and more downstream industries set up business in SOHAR’s fast expanding Freezone.



Alongside Mr Toet at the official signing was Mr. Haythem Macki, representing exporters Oman Fasteners. The company is now firmly established in Oman after originally setting up in the UAE. The move home was a result of more favorable business conditions in the Sultanate, especially better tax incentives and lower electricity prices in SOHAR, which will allow the company to become more competitive regionally and globally.

Oman Fasteners will also benefit from an existing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States, which will further contribute to the ongoing sustainability of the organisation. This latest SOHAR-based project will support the local community through the creation of jobs, due to the company’s significant labour requirements, and will add additional impetus to Oman’s booming and increasingly diversified economy.

This latest announcement comes on the back of an unparalleled period of growth for SOHAR Port and Freezone, resulting in SOHAR now ranking as one of the world’s largest port and free zone developments with investments totaling over US$ 21 Billion. SOHAR’s prime position as a deep-water port outside the Strait of Hormuz, coupled with the abundance of low-cost energy and feedstocks like petrochemicals, iron and steel, and aluminum, is atracting more overseas investors than ever before. SOHAR Port was launched in 2002 as a joint venture between the Port of Rotterdam and the Government of Oman with the Freezone added in 2009.

Andre Toet, Chief Executive of SOHAR Port said: “This is tremendous news for SOHAR and I’m delighted that we now have companies of the calibre of Oman Fasteners on board in the Freezone. SOHAR continues to attract major players from the GCC and around the world. Oman Fasteners’ move from the UAE to SOHAR makes it clear we now have the right combination of incentives in place to attract more overseas investors. Our One-Stop-Shop team takes care of everything so businesses can focus on their core activity — building a successful and profitable enterprise. We welcome Oman Fasteners back to the Sultanate and, as we say in SOHAR, It all starts here.”

SOHAR Port and Freezone has unveiled the latest addition to the growing number of companies utilising their high quality infrastructure and services. On Thursday evening, under the auspices of H.E. Sultan bin Salim Al Habsi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Planning and Chairman of the Board, a contract was signed with Saud Bahwan Group to operate in a 40-hectare area of SOHAR Freezone.

Saud Bahwan Group has played an integral role in the economic life of Oman by introducing a wide range of world-class brands to the Sultanate. The Group has established a strong presence in many fields, including vehicles; construction equipment; real estate; and tourism.

This latest agreement marks another milestone in the Freezone’s development.The lease of the first 500 hectares of SOHAR Freezone was not due to be completed until 2017. That target is 80% achieved and phase one is expected to sell-out completely by next year which has triggered the start of the planning of Phase two of the Freezone.

In the first phase of development, Saud Bahwan Automotive will develop 40 hectares of the Freezone. The land will be used as a vehicle storage and distribution centre for Toyota / Lexus vehicles. C. Steinweg Oman, the General Cargo Terminal Operator, will have an integral role to play with the handling of all cars.

Together with the already established automotive industry of Suhail Bahwan Automotive for Nissan and BMW, and OTE for Hyundai, this latest addition to the Freezone will create a significant regional automotive cluster in SOHAR, handling over 200,000 vehicles annually.

SOHAR Freezone Chief Executive Jamal Aziz was keen to outline what separates SOHAR from other free zones in the region: “The superb location of SOHAR; its connectivity; the future rail and motorway infrastructure; a new airport; great access to abundant low-cost energy and utilities; and of course the feeder network through the Port, have all put SOHAR in the global spotlight and resulted in the spectacular growth we’ve seen in the past decade.” And Andre Toet, SOHAR CEO was delighted with this new agreement: “In SOHAR we say ‘It all starts here’ and we’re going to make sure that really comes true for Toyota and Saud Bahwan Group.

• SOHAR Port and Freezone receives three of the latest generation ship-to-shore gantry cranes from ZPMC


• Installation at newly extended Oman International Container Terminal in SOHAR


• SOHAR now targeting 1.5m TEUs annually


• CEO Andre Toet speaks of additional lift for business

Three new Post Panamax ship-to-shore container cranes arrived at SOHAR Port and Freezone on board a specialized crane transport last Thursday. Equipped with the latest technology, these all-new gantry cranes were built to order by ZPMC in China. They represent a multi-million Dollar investment in the future of SOHAR as the new gateway to the Gulf. Oman International Container Terminal (OICT) officially took delivery of the new cranes following their 6,500 mile journey by sea from Shanghai that took over one month.

Each crane has a staggering 52-metre reach, equivalent to 18 rows of containers. This means the new cranes can handle very large container ships; this consolidation of cargo is an important factor for shipping lines to reduce their costs. Captain Rashid, Chief Executive Officer of OICT commented: “Automation and information is critical for today’s container business and these cranes are a huge step forward for SOHAR in terms of technology.”

With severe weather lashing the Oman coast over the past few days, the delicate operation to transfer the cranes from the ship’s deck to land is now underway. It will take a team of specialized engineers from China and Oman around eight days to complete the offloading and installation work. The cranes were welded to the main deck for their journey from the Far East and crews are now busy with cutting gear separating them from the ship.

Once that is completed, rail tracks will be laid so the cranes can be carefully maneuvered from the ship’s deck to the quayside. “Our challenge will be to compensate the weight of the cranes with ballast as they are removed from the ship, as well as to balance the rise and fall of the tides,” said Mr. Yang Wenhui, Deputy General Manager of ZPMC, the Chinese team heading the operations. Wenhui continued: “The ship and quayside need to stay at exactly the same level for many hours at a time, or there is a risk that the tracks won’t be able to support the cranes.”

Once the three cranes are installed and container operations are consolidated at the new Terminal-C facility, now under construction, OICT will more than double its current capacity. OICT is targeting 1.5 million TEUs annually once all three phases of Terminal-C are completed, and already handles around 200,000 TEUs a year. The new capacity will allow over 200,000 additional containers destined for Oman, but currently rerouted through the UAE’s Port system, to be handled directly in Oman. This will help reduce congestion at the Hatta border and will be a further boost for SOHAR’s growth.

Andre Toet, CEO of SOHAR Port commented: “The new cranes will keep SOHAR ahead of our competitors for many years to come. The growth in SOHAR is frankly mind-boggling and there are still massive opportunities for international investors, especially in SOHAR Freezone.”

Asked if SOHAR can increase its current 50 million tons of cargo to 90 million tons a year by 2020, Toet smiled: “Yes, of course we can…the new cranes represent a huge uplift for our business in SOHAR.”

As one of the keynote speakers at Transtec 2016 in Dammam this week, the leading Saudi Arabian logistics conference, Faisal Al Balushi from the commercial management team at SOHAR Port and Freezone launched the latest in a series of third-party reports on themes that are especially relevant for the Omani logistical hub. Prepared by MEED Insight, a Dubai-based market research company, the report covers the "GCC Logistics Industry 2017” and reviews the state of the industry around the region, the latest trends and drivers for growth, as well as business predictions for the coming years.

That SOHAR used Transtec 2016 to launch its latest report is significant. As the Port continues to grow and new hinterland connections from SOHAR are developing rapidly, Saudi Arabia is an important and growing market. A new highway is due to open soon that will directly connect SOHAR with Riyadh, completely avoiding the congested UAE-Saudi border crossing, and reducing the journey for trucks by 800 kilometres and up to four days. SOHAR sees this new link as a significant win-win scenario for both sides, giving Saudi logistics operators a direct link to the Omani hub and another excellent option for inbound and outbound cargoes to and from the Kingdom.

Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of SOHAR Port and Freezone, said: "Oman is concentrating on the logistics and transportation sector through a consolidated and long-term logistics strategy. The plan is to improve soft infrastructure, support mechanisms and national institutions, to catapult the Sultanate into the top ten of the world’s most logistics-friendly economies by 2040. As one of the region’s prime logistical hubs, SOHAR will play a critical

role in those plans. We also envisage developing SOHAR Freezone as a hub for innovation in the logistics sector.”

However, the new MEED report is not uncritical. Although the GCC logistics sector as a whole is expected to grow at an average of 6.9% over the next five years, as GCC governments continue to invest heavily, the regional logistics business is still highly fragmented and the MEED research team sees significant room for improvements. This latest MEED report on logistics comes hot on the heels of a report on the Middle East food sector, released recently at Gulfood Manufacturing in Dubai. Like its predecessors, the logistics industry report is sure to become a must-read document for anyone involved in the sector in the Middle East and will soon be available for free download at: soharportandfreezone.com

Yesterday marked the official signing in Muscat of a new sister port agreement between Shenzhen Port in the People’s Republic of China and SOHAR Port and Freezone in Oman. Mr Dong Yanze of the Ports Administration of Shenzhen Municipality and a delegation of other high-ranking Chinese officials attended the ceremony.

Both ports play a critical role in their respective regions and the agreement coincides with China\`s construction of twenty-first century maritime silk route networks, providing a timely opportunity for deepening cooperation on both sides. The agreement covers the development of mutually beneficial trade and shipping business and will help to increase understanding and relations in areas that include port planning and construction, management and operations, environmental protection, information technology, personnel training and port security.

CEO Mark Geilenkirchen summed up the importance of this agreement from SOHAR perspective: “The Middle East plays a critical role in the Chinese One Belt One Road initiatives to develop modern land and maritime silk routes, that will stretch from Shanghai all the way to Hamburg; thanks to the prime location of SOHAR outside the Strait of Hormuz, we are ideally placed to act as an important nodal hub on these maritime routes, as from here cargo can be directed though the Suez Canal or around the Cape, depending on vessel size and final destination. We are naturally delighted that Shenzen Port has recognised this and we will be working closely with them and the other main ports in China to develop closer ties and more business as we move forward.”

In October, Mark Geilenkirchen was invited as keynote speaker to the China International Logistics Forum in Shenzhen, and spoke to Chinese officials about the development of One Belt One Road and the potential role that Oman could play in its development. With the support of SOHAR container terminal operators Hutchison Ports, part of the Hong Kong based multinational group, both sides have been working to strengthen ties. The deal signed today formalises the establishment of a sister-port relationship, and commits the management of both ports to maintain regular contact and send their staff for exchange visits to discuss details of interest to both sides, including recommending business partners to one other and promoting broader exchanges and cooperation across their respective regions.

In collaboration with Safety Region Rotterdam, the strategic partner for safety management at SOHAR Port and Freezone, today saw the SOHAR health, safety, security and environment (HSSE) team organise a full-scale field exercise inside the Port’s Sohar Aluminium terminal. The exercise included emergency response teams from the Port, Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA), the Royal Oman Police, Sohar Aluminium as well as ambulance crews from the Port’s other main tenants, terminals and local hospitals working hand-in-hand to respond to the simulated incident.



The aim of today’s exercise was to assess training levels and review teamwork under live conditions in the field. Although fully simulated, the trainers managed to create a high level of realism by using smoke generators and carefully positioning volunteer ‘casualties’ at the scene that the emergency crews had to respond to. Scenarios of this kind provide a full-scale test of the whole organisation\`s response to an incident, and the best means of confirming the seamless operation of emergency communications.

Two years ago SOHAR founded the Emergency Response Upgrade Programme, or ERUP; the programme is now bearing its first fruits, as Suwaid Al Shamaisi, Executive Manager Corporate Affairs at SOHAR Port and Freezone, explained: “With the establishment of ERUP came considerable investment in different parts of the safety chain, to create an integrated and balanced level of safety at SOHAR Port and Freezone. Corporate installations and safety systems must now comply with clear international standards and preparation for potential incidents is done with the most modern equipment and internationally trained personnel. We will now have an emergency service available at a turnout post in the Port that is manned 24/7/365, equipped with the latest emergency vehicles, a centralised communications and dispatch centre, and a dedicated training facility.”

SOHAR is justifiably proud of its safety partnerships in the Port and Freezone concession areas, and the value of the ERUP programme is widely recognised by the Port authority’s own teams as well as the Port’s tenants. International companies searching for new worldwide industrial production bases often have high international standard safety policies already in place, and 24/7 emergency facilities come high-up on their list of priorities for the selection of a new location.

SOHAR CEO Mark Geilenkirchen, summed up the straightforward approach to safety at SOHAR: “Either we work here safely or we don’t work at all, it’s that simple. Taking the decision to run a live exercise, like the one we are witnessing here today, is a sign that we already have great confidence in the abilities of all those involved. Simulations like this provide the best possible means of confirming the perfect operation of emergency communications, response, coordination and teamwork, and we always do our utmost to add to the realism of the exercise for all those involved.”

Several years ago, together with tenant companies and the local authorities, SOHAR established the HSSE Committee, which now meets monthly. “Every stakeholder, every business, every tenant has a representative in the HSSE-Committee,” said Mark Geilenkirchen. “The power of the forum is that stakeholders meet each other face-to-face and developments, problems and solutions are discussed together at the same table and can be put into practice immediately.

SOHAR Port and Freezone revealed updated performance figures during its annual Business Reception at The Chedi in Muscat last week. Despite generally lower revenues and a slump in activity in the global maritime industry, throughput at SOHAR was up again and topped an average of one million tonnes a week for 2016. Container traffic was up by 15% compared to 2015, break bulk up by 18%, and liquid bulk throughput increased by 12% year-on-year. SOHAR received well over 2,600 vessel calls in 2016, also a significant increase in numbers despite the global trend towards larger ships.

The new Food Zone was one of the main highlights of plans announced for 2017, as SOHAR CEO, Mark Geilenkirchen, explained: “One of our goals is to maximise our prime strategic location, advanced logistics infrastructure and optimal connectivity to help reduce the 70% gap between food consumption and food production in the GCC; our new Food Zone development will also be seamlessly integrated with the Sultanate’s other food security efforts.”

“SOHAR Port South is a significant land reclamation area, currently under construction, designed to accommodate new industrial projects that will be announced soon. The project will include new, deep-water berths to the south of the existing port area. It will give a substantial boost to the Sultanate’s diversification efforts, aimed to increase the contribution of non-oil sectors to GDP,” continued the CEO.

SOHAR Freezone will also witness a number of new developments in 2017, as plans for the second phase of the Freezone take shape. The first 500-hectares of phase one have almost all been leased out, explained Freezone CEO Jamal T. Aziz: “We are currently improving the business environment based on the output received from the Sultanate’s ‘Tanfeedh’ process. This includes further streamlining the Freezone’s One-Stop-Shop procedures for investors and ensuring that international best practices are applied. A new bonded road corridor, featuring the latest international customs procedures, will further improve connectivity between the Port and adjacent Freezone.”

Probably the most futuristic plans on the table were for an Innovation Zone inside the new Freezone area, to be built in close cooperation with Port of Rotterdam. “Together with private sector companies, international research institutes and some of the world’s top universities, we are seeking innovative solutions across a broad range of issues that affect our shipping, logistics and industrial sectors,” explained Mark Geilenkirchen. “Ultimately this will all be in the best interests of consumers, both locally and internationally. In SOHAR we always say ‘It all starts here’ and that has never been more true than now; 2017 promises to be our most exciting year ever,” concluded the CEO.  

In partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Doha office of UNESCO, Sultan Qaboos University, and a number of other NGOs, SOHAR Port and Freezone is actively supporting the Green Schools Programme in Oman. At Umaia Bint Qais School in Liwa, close to the fast growing industrial Port, one of the most exciting projects is the establishment of a medicinal plant nursery.

The earliest historical records of medicinal plants are found in the Sumerian civilisation, where hundreds of types are listed on clay tablets. Today, drug researchers make use of so-called ethno-botany to search for pharmacologically active substances in nature and have discovered hundreds of useful compounds, including digoxin, quinine and common household drugs such as aspirin. It is estimated that over 12,000 naturally occurring active compounds are already known to science.

Suwaid Al Shamaisi, Executive Manager Corporate Affairs at SOHAR Port and Freezone explains: “The Green Schools project aims to provide a new educational opportunity for students to learn about the importance of herbs and alternative medicine outside the normal confines of the classroom. By enhancing students’ awareness of environmental conservation and sustainability, we are trying to give our next generation a better understanding of how the environment can help to sustain lives.”

Due to environmental destruction, especially in the Amazon jungles, the earth loses an estimated one hundred plant species every day. As the rainforest disappears, so do many potentially valuable drugs. Currently twenty-five per cent of western pharmaceuticals are derived from rainforest materials, but less than one per cent of the materials that exist in the rainforest have ever been tested.

Mark Geilenkirchen, SOHAR CEO, summed up the initiative: “As SOHAR continues to expand as a major regional logistical and industrial hub, we pride ourselves on some of the strictest and best-policed environmental policies in the Middle East. With this project, we hope to enrich students’ education by empowering them to practically apply knowledge learnt at school, both at home and in the community to help reduce ecological impact and encourage sustainable practices.”

Work is progressing fast on the construction of SOHAR III, a green-field, integrated combined-cycle gas turbine power plant located in SOHAR Port. The project is valued at over US$1 billion and is on track to commence commercial operations by January 2019. With more than enough capacity to power new developments in the recently announced SOHAR Port South and SOHAR Freezone Phase II expansions, the new plant will have a power output of over 1,700 Megawatts, making it Oman’s second largest power station.

Developed by Shinas Generating Company SAOC, the project is in partnership with Mitsui, ACWA Power and Dhofar International Development and Investment Holding. The sole off-taker will be Oman Power and Water Procurement Company, who will supply the power produced to Oman’s national grid.

Mark Geilenkirchen, SOHAR CEO, explained the importance of the new plant to SOHAR: “We have seen sustained double-digit growth in SOHAR for over twelve years now, and we are 100% on track for continued expansion. Our role is to ensure that world-class infrastructure is in place before our incoming tenants require it, so they do not experience delays when commencing production. In times of budgetary constraints right across the GCC, SOHAR has once again shown it is possible to develop, finance, build, own and operate a large-scale high performance power plant like this one with a significant share of private investment. Since we started operations here in 2004, public-private partnerships have been at the core of our success story - made in SOHAR.”

SOHAR Freezone CEO, Jamal T. Aziz, added: “The first phase of SOHAR Freezone is practically leased out and our technical teams are now busy planning phase-two. The current levels of international interest from investors, especially in the food and logistics sectors is phenomenal and sufficient network power at reasonable rates is a prerequisite to the continued smooth growth of SOHAR Freezone.

With investments of over US$26 billion, over one million tonnes of cargo throughput each week, and over 2,600 ships berthing every year, SOHAR now ranks as one of the world’s fastest growing port and free zone developments and is fast becoming one of the Middle East’s prime industrial and logistical hubs. Add a newly opened cargo airport and a fast expanding network of uncongested highways, with direct connections to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and the huge and ever increasing regional demand for specialised, heavy construction equipment becomes clear.

“This region is currently home to some of the biggest and most significant industrial and logistical developments in the Middle East,” said Suwaid Al Shamaisi, Executive Manager Corporate Affairs at SOHAR Port and Freezone, and continued: “which is why the Chamber of Commerce and Al Shaam Exhibitions selected SOHAR as the ideal venue for Oman’s second annual building materials, transport and heavy equipment expo, HEAVYEX 2017.” SOHAR Port and Freezone is one of the active sponsors of the exhibition, which opened last Sunday at the Sohar Branch of Oman International Exhibition Centre.

By investing heavily in infrastructure, Oman is gearing up to take full advantage of the Sultanate’s favourable geographic location as an international logistical hub outside the Strait of Hormuz - and SOHAR Port and Freezone is at the centre of its plans. SOHAR has brought over one thousand per cent growth to the region in recent years as well as many skilled job opportunities. “We estimate today that up to half a million people are in some way connected to the economic upside generated in and around SOHAR,” explained Mark Geilenkirchen, SOHAR Port and Freezone CEO, and continued: “we are proud to be working with HEAVYEX 2017 to ensure that local SMEs in the construction sector remain as closely connected as possible to the growth of our international businesses.

Following through on cooperation with the General Directorate of Education, SOHAR Port and Freezone is launching its new Tafawwoq programme this week. The new programme will initially target school students who performed particularly well in the 2016 Summer Educational Programme.

Suwaid Al Shamaisi, Executive Manager Corporate Affairs at SOHAR explains: “In line with the Port’s CSR commitments to ensure the development of a sustainable education and help future career prospects, we recently decided to launch our new Tafawwoq Programme. The first phase of the programme will reward those students who performed outstandingly well during our 2016 Summer Educational Programme at the International Maritime College Oman.”

The new programme is designed to provide selected, high-performing school students with an advanced English course to help broaden their horizons and increase their knowledge base. In addition, students will be learning a number of other basic skills to help them to be effective contributors to the community in the future. This will include encouraging the spirit of teamwork, enhancing their leadership skills and learning the fundamentals of public speaking.

The programme launches this week and will continue during the whole second semester of the 2016/2017 academic year. Twenty boys and girls from grades 5-10 were selected for the programme. Over a two-week period, at the Green Oasis Hotel-Sohar, students will be taught English language skills in the morning and public speaking, leadership fundamentals, and various self-development programs in the afternoon. Following these initial courses, there will be bi-weekly visits to the students back in their own schools to follow-up on progress and review their performance. A final assessment of the programme will be made together with the supervisors of each of the schools.

Mark Geilenkirchen, SOHAR CEO, summed up the initiative when he said: “As a Dutch national who has worked all over the world, I know first-hand the importance of English language skills as a facilitator for business growth and a primary driver for enhanced trade and prosperity. At SOHAR Port and Freezone we will continue to promote sustainable education through a range of programmes, working closely with all stakeholders including the Ministry of Education, the Walis, local schoolteachers and governors, school students and their parents.

In collaboration with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA), Lifeline Hospital, TRISTAR, Sohar Institute for Management and Technology, Pubic Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance, Abdul Aziz and Brothers LLC, Ministry of Manpower and the Royal Oman Police, this year’s annual BE SAFE SOHAR events concluded successfully last week. SOHAR Port and Freezone’s Corporate Affairs team led the organisation of the three-day event that included many stakeholders from companies in and around the Port and Freezone.

“This year’s BE SAFE event was bigger and better than ever,” said Suwaid Al Shamaisi, Executive Manager Corporate Affairs at SOHAR Port and Freezone, and added: “a three-day exhibition of specialised, international safety equipment at our SOHAR HQ building was the focal point for a wide variety of events that targeted stakeholders from right across our tenant industries.”

More active participants and more attendees than in previous years reflected continued double-digit growth at the North Batinah region’s logistical hub. With investments of US$26 billion and now handling over one million tonnes of cargo a week, SOHAR ranks as one of the world’s fastest growing port and free zone developments. This year’s events included a blood donation campaign to restock blood banks in local hospitals; first-aid and CPR training sessions; and a wide variety of seminars with sessions on Safety leadership; SEVESO - European Safety Standards; Road Transport Safety; Terminal Operations Safety; and a Behavioural Safety Workshop.

In addition, road users were invited to attend defensive driving courses with activities that highlighted the need for a focus on local road safety both inside and outside the Port and Freezone areas. CPS, the company that led the course, worked with attendees on professional driving simulators to assess their skills and measure knowledge of road rules and regulations, as well as driver behaviour.

Exhibitors were awarded trophies to thank them for their contribution and participants received certificates to mark their successful completion of the programme. At the closing ceremony, Engineer Ahmed Al Mazroui, CEO of Majis Industrial Services Company, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the team at SOHAR Port and Freezone for all of their efforts to raise awareness of safety and security both in the Port area and on the region’s roads.

“There is still a lot to be done in terms of educating Oman’s road users about the day-to-day risks involved with driving, especially in higher risk areas like our Port,” explained Mark Geilenkirchen, SOHAR Port and Freezone CEO. “The safety of our staff and of all road users at SOHAR Port and Freezone is critically important to us and we will continue to work on an on-going basis with the ROP and all other relevant authorities to continually reduce the number and the severity of road accidents in the Sultanate.

As the world’s leading port network, Hutchison Ports is no stranger to significant infrastructure investments or world-leading technologies. As the container terminal operator at SOHAR Port in Oman, Hutchison is taking its next bold step towards modernisation and full automation, with the launch of its new Auto Gate system at Terminal C. The Terminal already features remote-controlled quayside cranes capable of handling next generation 20,000 TEU vessels.

His Excellency Dr Ahmed Mohammed Salem Al-Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications in Oman, was on hand on Saturday to officially inaugurate the new, state-of-the-art facilities. “Auto Gate promises to make container shipments at Hutchison Ports SOHAR even faster and more secure, strengthening the Port’s already excellent reputation as the new Gateway to the Gulf,” said Albert Pang, CEO of Hutchison Ports SOHAR. He continued: “We recently introduced an automated truck appointment system in SOHAR; the introduction of Auto Gate will continue to reduce our already fast turnaround times for shippers and trucking companies alike.”

The Auto Gate system utilises a combination of smart technologies, allowing truck drivers to pass through the container terminal gates with no paper documentation and no delays. Drivers can remain inside their vehicles at all times during security checks, inspections and container movements. The new system includes machine-readable cards to store driver information; character-recognition cameras to read truck plate numbers; self-service kiosks for inputting shipping codes; and RFID tags to further improve terminal security.

Saturday’s events also marked the inauguration of Ocean Alliance services to SOHAR. The Ocean Alliance, which was launched last month with members CMA CGM, China Cosco Shipping, Evergreen Line, and Orient Overseas Container Line, offers forty services on east-west trades with 498 port calls. Weekly calls from such major maritime players demonstrate how Hutchison Ports SOHAR is playing an increasingly important role in attracting new container cargo volumes to the Sultanate - Q1/2017 container throughput at SOHAR was up again by 6% compared to Q1 last year.

Mark Geilenkirchen, SOHAR Port CEO, welcomed the new Auto Gate facilities: “Investments in technology to optimise and modernise terminal operations, increase turnaround speed for our customers — and time is money in logistics. These are savings that can be passed down right along the supply chain to make Oman even more competitive as a significant regional hub. As we become more attractive to international logistics companies, investors and traders, the new Auto Gates will help to open up a new world of opportunities for Oman.”

·  SOHAR simulated lifelike emergency scenarios in the port last week

· Training builds multidisciplinary response and coordination

When smoke billowed out of a truck loaded with chemicals in SOHAR Port late last week the people observing it were not panicking, but were instead making careful notes on their clipboards. They were professional observers taking part in a so-called Multidisciplinary Tier 2 Field Exercise in coordination with Safety Region Rotterdam, SOHAR Port’s strategic partner for safety management.

The incident was a very lifelike simulation of a complex situation that included a truck on fire loaded with chemicals, multiple injuries, and civilians trapped on the roof of a burning building. The first responders included teams from the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA), Royal Oman Police, Orpic, Vale Oman, SIUCI, OMC, Jindal Shadeed, Larsen & Toubro, Oman PESCo, as well as local volunteer diving teams.

Organised regularly by the Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) team at SOHAR Port and Freezone, crisis management exercises like these aim to build closer cooperation in the field between Oman government resources like PACDA, and the various private companies located in SOHAR Port and Freezone. Many of the tenant companies in the port support their own emergency response fire and ambulance teams. Regular training is the only way to ensure a smooth response, should a genuine emergency ever arise at SOHAR, when lives are at stake and every second counts.

After a professional post-event debriefing session, Mark Geilenkirchen, SOHAR CEO, commented: “In a port like SOHAR, we’re confronted with a great many combustible materials and chemicals which didn’t even exist just a few decades ago. Modern fires tend to burn hotter and faster and our response crews need to not only understand a great deal of science, but must also work together closely in order to fight them correctly. Field training simulations like this one help to ensure that we can protect the many thousands of people working directly here in the port and living in our surrounding communities. Safety is and always will be our overriding priority at SOHAR.” ENDS

Note to editors about SOHAR Port and Freezone

SOHAR Port and Freezone is a deep sea port and free zone in the Middle East, situated in the Sultanate of Oman midway between Dubai and Muscat. With current investments of US$26 billion, it is one of the world`s fastest growing port and free zone developments and lies at the centre of global trade routes between Europe and Asia. SOHAR provides unequalled access to the fast diversifying economies of the Gulf and Iran, while avoiding the additional costs of passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The existing road network and airport and the future rail system provide direct connectivity to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as well as to the rest of the world. Equipped with deep-water jetties capable of handling the world’s largest ships, SOHAR has leading global partners that operate its container, dry bulk, liquid and gas terminals including Hutchison, C. Steinweg, Oiltanking, and Svitzer. SOHAR Port and Freezone is managed by Sohar Industrial Port Company (SIPC), a joint venture between Port of Rotterdam and the Sultanate of Oman. soharportandfreezone.com

• Containers show double-digit year-on-year growth in Q2/2017
• Over threefold growth in container throughput in just five years
• SOHAR Port and Freezone developing as key regional hub

 

The Programme will run daily from 9 - 27 July 2017 at International Maritime College Oman (IMCO), a specialist education and training institute in SOHAR which normally offers diploma and degree courses for the maritime, shipping, port, transport and petrochemical process industries. During their summer break, school students from grades 6 through 9 will receive the kind of workshop-style tuition otherwise found in colleges of further and higher education.

Thanks to dedicated and experienced teaching staff, the Programme sets out to develop the students’ talents and interests with a broad and practically oriented curriculum. The 2017 Programme will include workshops on computer science, photography, artistic editing techniques, robotics, sculpture and architecture. The Programme targets 300 outstanding students from local schools, and all tuition is held in English to help participants improve their written and verbal English language skills.

Since 2012, over 1,300 local students have successfully completed the Programme and many are now entering the local job market for the first time. With global investments in SOHAR Port and Freezone valued at over US$26 billion to-date, more and more opportunities are emerging as the industrial base expands and SOHAR emerges as one of the region’s prime logistical hubs.

SOHAR CEO, Mark Geilenkirchen, said: “At SOHAR Port and Freezone we believe every dollar invested in local education is an investment in all our futures. By helping to build stronger communities, with more sustainable economic success and more shared prosperity, everyone wins: the Port, the Freezone, our tenants, our overseas investors and the local community. We will continue to work closely with the Omani Ministries, local community leaders and our outstanding Summer Programme students in order to build a thriving regional hub in SOHAR as the new Gateway to the Gulf region.” ENDS

 

Orpic B fought their way to glory last night at Al Arabi field in Suhar, to be crowned 2017 champions of the annual SOHAR Cup football tournament. Now in its tenth year, the tournament has grown from small beginnings to become one of the key fixtures in the North Al Batinah region’s sporting calendar. After an exciting match, the B team from the national petrochemical and refining giants Orpic, defeated International Maritime College Oman, the Port’s vocational training academy, by a six goals to five in a tense penalty shoot out.

 

Both Orpic and IMCO have had to face stiff competition over the past three weeks to reach the final, beating favourites Hutchison Ports SOHAR, the container terminal’s A team, who won last year’s competition. With over 60 matches taking place every evening over three weeks, and with 32 teams representing tenants, contractors and subcontractors taking part, the tournament is as much a test of the teams’ stamina and endurance as it is of their football skills.

A grand total of over 400 players, referees, coaches and administrators actively participated in this year’s event. The annual tournament, which started in 2007 in the very early days of SOHAR Port, was initiated to celebrate teamwork and health during the Holy Month of Ramadan. This year, the winners’ trophies and runner-up prizes were presented by His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Said bin Humaid bin Abdullah Al Harthy, the Wali of Liwa.

After the official Cup presentation, Awards were also handed over to a number of other exceptional players in the tournament, including the Best Outfield Player Award, the Best Goalkeeper Award and the Top Scorer Award. The Port’s CEO, Mark Geilenkirchen, was full of praise for all the players and the tournament’s organisers: “They call football the beautiful game and tonight you can really see why…the level of skill, perseverance, teamwork, dedication and sheer hard work we’ve witnessed here this evening is phenomenal. If there’s anyone out there who still wonders why SOHAR is one of the world’s fastest growing Port and Freezone developments, I invite them to witness some of our football matches — by day, it’s the same teams of people making it all happen.” SOHAR has seen double-digit growth for the past twelve years and now handles in excess of 2,600 ships a year and averages a million tonnes of sea cargo each week.

Suwaid Al Shamaisi, SOHAR Port and Freezone’s Executive Manager of Corporate Affairs, whose department organises the SOHAR Cup, summed up when he said: “Our sincere praise goes to all the players, participants and administrators who make the tournament such a resounding success each year. It is a great opportunity for staff in all our Port and Freezone industries to meet, to communicate with each other and directly with our surrounding communities. I would also like to offer my special thanks to the administration of Al Arabi football club, headed by Mr. Hilal Al Kiyumi, for all their invaluable support.” ENDS

• SOHAR hosts 7th annual Herring Party celebrating partnership with Holland
• Over 150 industry specialists attended the party to network and discuss new commercial opportunities
• Industry leaders come together to celebrate European and Middle East maritime legacies
  

The much-anticipated event has become a regular feature in the SOHAR calendar and provided a chance to celebrate and reflect on the strong ties that have been established between the Sultanate of Oman and The Netherlands as SOHAR goes from strength to strength. So far, more than US$21 billion has been pumped into creating a world-class facility, with SOHAR’s growing popularity contributing to lease agreements being signed for the first phase of the Freezone almost three years ahead of schedule.

In Holland, locals have been eating New Dutch Herring - or Hollandse Nieuwe - for over 600 years. Traditionally, herring is eaten by holding the fish by it’s tail, dipping it in onions and then lowering it whole into your mouth.




Reflecting on the success of recent milestones, Andre Toet, SOHAR CEO, said: “2015 has been a hugely successful year for SOHAR Port and Freezone. We have hit a number of key milestones as the business continues to grow. Much of this is owed to our strong ties with Holland - the Port of Rotterdam has a long history stretching back to the 14th-century, our vision is to experience the same level of growth and create a millennium of enterprise and sea trade right here in the Middle East.”

London, once home to the largest port in the world, provided the backdrop for SOHAR Port and Freezone to showcase what has contributed to an unparalleled period of growth. Investments totaling an incredible US$21 billion have catapulted SOHAR into the Premier League of the world’s Port and Freezone.







The continued focus on the development of marine service in SOHAR was highlighted through sponsorship of the Fifth Annual Bunker Lunch, held at Oxo Tower, London on the 17 February 2014. The event, which has become one of the highlights of this highly specialized industry’s annual calendar, saw SOHAR representatives host some of the most influential personnel from the marine fuel industry.



During a business networking lunch, the team from Oman outlined the bunkering credentials of SOHAR Port and Freezone and the importance of this industry to the Sultanate.

Bunker is the name given to the fuel used to operate ships and the term bunkering is the supply of that fuel. Shell Oman Marketing Company SAOG, the Oman-based Joint Stock Company, and Omanoil Matrix Marine Service Company LLC, a joint venture between Matrix Marine Holding Germany and Oman Oil Marketing Company, are the official suppliers of bunker to SOHAR Port and Freezone.

The importance of bunkering services is not to be underestimated, a point Andre Toet, SOHAR Port Chief Executive was keen to highlight: “It is critically important that SOHAR Port can provide first-rate bunkering services; it attracts non-captive ships to come to the Port and this in turn offers a larger volume base for our other service providers. The local economy benefits from selling more auxiliary services, like providing ship supplies and provisions, and receiving seafarers.”

Toet continued: “The resulting economies of scale create cost reductions right along the supply chain in Oman, so captive port users benefit too from more competitive service charges.”

SOHAR’s prime position as a deep-water port outside the Strait of Hormuz, coupled with the abundance of low-cost energy and feedstocks like petrochemicals, iron and steel, and aluminum, is also attracting more overseas investors than ever before. “We’ve got a fantastic package for every global player interested in the Gulf. Our expansion in container and general cargo capacity at the Port is mind-boggling. And under the stewardship of Jamal Aziz, the Chief Executive SOHAR Freezone, we have more and more downstream industries setting up business in our fast expanding Freezone,” added Mr Toet.

• The Maritime Standards Awards now in its third year in Dubai
• SOHAR throughput has reached over one million tonnes a week
• First ship berthed in 2004, now well over 2,500 ships a year

SOHAR Port and Freezone beat off tough competition from some of the region’s most prominent ports to take home The Maritime Standards Port of the Year Award 2016, at the world-famous Atlantis The Palm Dubai last week. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, The Maritime Standards is an annual maritime industry event, hosted in Dubai and now in its third year.



More than 700 of the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent industry’s decision makers, including chairmen, chief executives and directors from all the leading shipping companies, ports, terminal operators and maritime organisations attended the glittering ceremony in The Atlantis Ballroom. The Awards recognise the achievements of organisations and individuals across the region and, in total, 30 different Maritime Standard Awards were presented to winners across a broad range of maritime industry categories.

Speaking after receiving the Award on stage, Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of SOHAR Port, said: “It is a tremendous honour for us to receive Port of the Year Award tonight and I am immensely proud of everything that our team has achieved in SOHAR; this Award recognises the enormous efforts of all our staff, terminal operators and tenants who work together tirelessly to continuously raise the bar on our services.”

Only last week, SOHAR Freezone announced that it had won the prestigious fDi Magazine Free Zones of the Year Award for New Investments. fDi Magazine is part of the UK’s Financial Times Group and SOHAR was the only winner in this category in the Middle East region. SOHAR Freezpne CEO Jamal T. Aziz summed up the sentiment at SOHAR this week: “It is easy to forget just how far we have come in such a short space of time; our first ship only berthed in 2004, and we are now one of the fastest growing port and free zone developments in the world. The winning combination we have here of a fast growing, regional hub Port in a prime location, with an adjacent, customer-friendly and optimally connected Freezone, is the single biggest key to our success. We are honoured that The Maritime Standards Award judges have selected SOHAR as Port of the Year and we will continue to do everything within our power to live up to that high benchmark.”

This week saw the arrival of four new post-Panamax quay cranes at SOHAR Port and Freezone’s state-of-the-art container terminal, as it continues its next phase of expansion. The facility is jointly owned by Hutchison (HPH) in Hong Kong, the Oman Government, C. Steinweg and other investors, and is operated by Oman International Container Terminal (OICT). In the summer of 2014, OICT shifted it operations to the new Terminal C at SOHAR in preparation for the relocation of all commercial traffic from Muscat’s Port Sultan Qaboos. Last year saw SOHAR handle nearly one million tons of cargo a week, a new record for the Port that only saw its first ship arrive in 2004.

The new cranes arrived by sea after a long journey from Shanghai, where world-leading quay crane specialists ZPMC manufactured them. The highly complex engineering challenge of offloading the cranes began on Monday and will take all week. First, temporary rail bridges were built from ship to shore in order to move the cranes to the quayside. Each crane weighs hundreds of tons, so the transport ship from ZPMC needed to be balanced by water ballast as the cranes were removed in order to keep its height constant above the water line and level with the quayside. With the unpredictability of tide movements and the weather this week, this was a huge challenge that demanded great skill and experience.

SOHAR Port and Freezone took part in the Business Innovation Forum this week, with SOHAR Port CEO Andre Toet participating in an industry panel discussion on ‘Shaping the future of logistics through innovation’.

The two-day event, organized in cooperation between the Omani Government and the Dutch Regional Economic Network in the Gulf, was held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Muscat. The forum brings together Oman-based and Dutch entrepreneurs, government officials and researchers in the field of logistics and maritime, and aims to build on the existing close relationship between Oman and the Netherlands as well as creating opportunities for further collaboration.

• Today’s signing raises the bar on sustainable waste management standards

• SOHAR will be home to one of the region’s most advanced waste treatment facilities

• 240 Hectare facility will handle all kinds of industrial waste from SOHAR

 

It is with great pleasure that we announce that Oman Sugar Refinery Company LLC (OSRC) has reached agreement with Sinolight Corporation on an EPC contract to develop a sugar refinery at the port of Sohar.





The new sugar refinery will be a world class, state of the art, modern facility and will use the latest production technology to produce the highest quality refined sugar. The refinery will have a capacity of one million tonnes of refined sugar per annum and the contract will be managed on behalf of OSRC by Bosch Projects of South Africa.



This will be the first sugar refinery to be established in the Sultanate of Oman and will create employment for Omani citizens, diversify the economy of the country, create many downstream opportunities and above all enhance food security in the country.





The refinery will take advantage of the excellent facilities provided by the strategically located port of Sohar which include a deepwater port, adjacent container terminal and agro-bulk terminal.



The refinery will be wholly owned by Omani promoters and will produce an Omani branded product for the local, regional and international markets.

Muscat: The first ship operating under the direct shipping line agreement between Iran and Oman arrived in Sohar Port on Saturday, reported the Iran – Oman Joint Chamber of Commerce.

The ship had departed from the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, and a number of Iranian and Omani officials attended the ceremony in Sohar, according to the report.

Iran and Oman agreed to establish a direct shipping line between the two countries to enhance maritime trade during the visit of an Omani business delegation, led by Said bin Saleh Al Kiyumi, chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), to Iran in late April.

According to the Iranian media, the agreement was signed between the chambers of commerce of Iran and Oman as well as an Iranian private sector shipping company.

Abdolhossein Khedri, the chief executive officer, Khedri Jahan Darya Shipping AG, the private Iranian company involved in the scheme, had said earlier that three vessels, including two container ships and a bulk carrier, will start making trips every 15 days in the initial phase.

"The trips could be held on a weekly basis if Iranian businesses welcome this scheme," he said.In addition, Edwin Lammers, executive commercial manager, Sohar Port and Freezone, had earlier told the Times of Oman that logistical support, including a regular shipping service, is the prerequisite for an increase in trade between Iran and other countries of the world, through Oman. 

SOHAR Port and Freezone is gearing up for its second appearance at Automechanika, in Dubai’s World Trade Centre. This year’s SOHAR stand will feature a professional race-car simulator, where visitors can test their driving skills on the legendary Yas Marina Circuit. The fastest drivers will have the chance to win two tickets to any of this year’s remaining Grand Prix races.

Over 200,000 vehicles a year are now imported through SOHAR Port. Many of these imports move straight to SOHAR Freezone where a new automobile cluster with a state-of-the-art

presales finishing centre is nearing completion. The cluster handles world-class brands including Toyota, Daihatsu, Lexus, Kia, Ford, Nissan, BMW and Hyundai.

Automechanika Dubai has developed a reputation as an unrivalled trade and networking event for the automobile business in the broader Middle East region. Last year’s show was a huge success, attracting nearly 29,000 visitors and buyers from 130 countries. It is hoped that Automechanika Dubai 2015 will attract further significant investment into the Port and Freezone.



Freezone CEO, Jamal Aziz, said: “SOHAR Port and our growing Freezone offer many opportunities for investors with our perfect mix of land capacity, reasonable labour costs and cheap energy.” He continued: “Our automobile cluster is one of the fastest growing sectors:

not only is SOHAR Freezone an ideal new car distribution hub, we also offer automobile parts manufacturers an abundant and direct supply of steel, aluminium and plastics.”

So far, more than $21 billion has been pumped into creating a world-class facility, with SOHAR’s growing popularity contributing to lease agreements being signed for the first phase of the Freezone almost three years ahead of schedule.

The booming GCC states, especially Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are easily accessible on new and uncongested highways, and will soon be linked by rail, meaning SOHAR is well placed to take advantage of high growth in vehicle sales across the GCC region. According to analysts Frost & Sullivan, the sale of new cars is expected to record a CAGR of 6% for the period 2012-2017, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE offering the largest regional markets; spare parts sales are expected to double by 2017, to US$13.46 billion.

SOHAR Port CEO, Andre Toet, summed it up: “The automobile industry is part of the DNA of this region; as a facilitator of trade and investment in the automotive industry, it doesn’t get much better than Automechanika. We hope today’s event will act as a springboard and help us continue building strong partnerships that will better serve Oman’s economy and its people”.

SOHAR Port and Freezone celebrated the continued rapid growth of the Port as it welcomed the inaugural call of the container vessel ‘Messini’ on Friday. 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.

His Excellency Sultan bin Salim Al Habsi, Chairman of the Board of SIPC, the Port Authority; His Excellency Said bin Hamdoon bin Saif Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications for Ports and Maritime Affairs; SOHAR Port and Freezone CEO’s Andre Toet and Jamal Aziz; Albert Pang, the CEO of Oman International Container Terminal LLC (OICT) as well as representatives of the Evergreen and Simatech shipping lines were at the quayside on Friday ahead of the arrival of the vessel in SOHAR.

The ceremony also celebrated the continued rapid growth of SOHAR Port; since the closure of Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat to commercial traffic in June last year, the handling capacity for container traffic at OICT in SOHAR Port has more than doubled.

His Excellency Sultan Al Habsi, Chairman of the Board of SOHAR Port and Freezone, 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, said: “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. Regular calls of vessels like the EGL Messini are a sign of even bigger things to come.”

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 said: “SOHAR Port Authority is actively working together with OICT and our other terminals on a strategy to ensure all Omani cargo flows are secured in Oman.”

As SOHAR Port flourishes so does the Freezone; Jamal Aziz concluded: “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; as the Freezone grows as a manufacturing base, the Port will also grow its share of exports. Our aim is to build more in-country value all the way along the supply chain and today’s ceremony marks another important step on that journey.”

• Port Management Programme to bring SOHAR, government officials together for learning


• SOHAR Freezone CEO says driving economy and succession planning among key focuses


• Full operations to be showcased as leaders look to a bright future for maritime industry

SOHAR Port and Freezone wrapped up its annual Management Programme last week, after another successful four-day event. Twelve participants from Muscat and SOHAR government entities took part in the programme, which aims to promote ease of business for Freezone businesses.

The Management Programme teaches participants about the operations of Freezone businesses, equipping them with the skills to work more effectively and efficiently together. Participants were given insight into a number of areas including utilisation of resources, transfer of technology and localisation of industries. They were also introduced to the mission and goals of SOHAR Port and Freezone, the structure of the company, the marketing of the Port and ways to attract investment.

Attendee, Jasim Saif Al Jadeedi, Head of Industry License and Regulations and Directorate General of Commerce and Industry, says: “The Management Programme has been invaluable in helping to increase efficiency. We have learnt to simplify procedures to help facilitate and speed up approvals for investors, as well as how to come up with solutions to overcome any challenges we might face around areas such as arbitration, environment and municipality. I look forward to working with SOHAR Port and Freezone to help facilitate its mission.”

SOHAR Freezone CEO, Jamal Aziz, says: “As SOHAR grows at an unprecedented rate, it is fundamental for us to invest in training to help businesses run as smoothly as possible. Good working relationships based on passing on knowledge help to create an efficient and most importantly, successful business environment; this is key to the growth of the Omani economy.”

SOHAR Port and Freezone will continue lending its support to safer driving in the Sultanate, Chief Executive Andre Toet has said. His comments compliment the logistics hub’s efforts to improve road safety and came on the morning of the last day of GCC Traffic Week, an important annual event held at Safeer Mall in Sohar.



“GCC driving week aims to highlight the dangers of road traffic accidents and inspire advocates for road safety from within communities across Oman. We fully support this and other important initiatives like it, and encourage people to learn about the role they can play in making Oman’s roads safer,” said Mr Toet.







As one of the world’s largest port and freezone development sites, SOHAR’s endorsement of GCC Traffic Week is intended to reinforce the message of road safety it sent to its 12,000 employees and tenants at SOHAR during its own highly successful ‘SOHAR Safer Driving Week’ campaign, held in December 2014.



Launched by Said bin Hamdoon bin Saif Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Omani Ministry of Transport and Communications’ Ports and Maritime Affairs, the goal of SOHAR Safer Driving Week was to instil a personal approach to driving through seminars and hands-on activities that included defensive driving, crash test simulation, the impact of mobile phone use, and load safety for commercial vehicles, among other things.



“As a contributor to road traffic, our responsibility is clear and we have been encouraged by the positive response we received during SOHAR Safer Driving Week. We cannot prevent accidents, but the risks posed by traffic accidents, and our ability to reduce that risk, is something that we all share,” Mr Toet concluded.

SOHAR Port and Freezone employees have given blood during an annual campaign to fill Oman’s blood banks. The initiative is part of the corporate social responsibility programme at the logistics hub, and SOHAR Freezone CEO Jamal Aziz said staff that should be congratulated.



“The voluntary blood donation initiative is an annual campaign at SOHAR and the way in which staff and tenants have supported the campaign has been admirable. Many of those here today have extremely demanding jobs, and while giving blood can be done in minutes, the gesture of putting others’ needs ahead of their own shows how much they value life. It is also an expression of commitment towards the long-term objective of filling the blood banks of the Department of Blood Services at the Ministry of Health,” he said.

“Part of that commitment involves helping to create a culture whereby people donate voluntarily. This aim is already being realised and the Ministry of Health is phasing out ‘replacement donations’ in response to a positive trend in blood donations. But the banks are not full yet so we’ll continue working until they are.”



In partnership with the local blood bank and Jusoor, a non-profit community development organisation, the initiative aimed to raise awareness of the need for blood donations, securing safe blood, increasing blood supplies, ensuring there enough blood to meet inconsistent demand, and ultimately saving lives in Oman.



“The history of blood banking began in the 1970s so it is still a relatively new practice in Oman. At that time, the unavailability of blood donors locally meant blood had to be imported from the US. However, things are changing, and as more people donate blood I cannot see it being too long before Oman is self-sufficient.”



“Not only is this good economically, but it also means immediate access to lifesaving blood. We never know when we ourselves may need to call on blood banks, but if we all put in there will be enough for everyone.”



As with last years’ event, the one day blood donation campaign was held at SOHAR Port and Freezone Head Office, and engaged staff and tenants from between 9:00am to 3:00pm on Tuesday 24 March 2015.

Plans for a world-class rail terminal and rail links that will connect global supply chains with SOHAR Port and Freezone via the GCC Rail project, have received widespread praise from among thousands of government officials, rail operators, and contractors at this year’s Middle East Rail Exhibition, the largest railway expo in the MENA region, SOHAR Executive Commercial Manager Edwin Lammers has announced.



The efficiency and integration of supply chains and the benefits of transporting cargo through SOHAR were also the subject of approvals and praise from participants engaging with the Omani port at The Cargo Show MENA 2015, according to Mr Lammers. Both events were held simultaneously at the Dubai International Convention Centre, and drew large crowds of admirers interested to find out more, explained Mr Lammers.







“The GCC Rail project has received worldwide coverage in the media and attracted the gaze of government planners and railway developers from around the world. This was reflected in the high levels of interest in the terminal planned for SOHAR at the Middle East Rail Exhibition, and as the gateway to the Gulf, many of the expo’s 6,000 visitors were keen to find out how they can utilise the terminal to boost their business.”



The Oman leg of the GCC Railway will connect all of the Gulf state’s logistics hubs but will be predominantly used to get goods in and out of consumer markets in UAE and Saudi Arabia, through SOHAR. The main rail section from SOHAR will stretch across 6 viaducts, 2 tunnels, and 122 kilometres of track before reaching UAE. Meanwhile, as one of the world’s largest port and freezone development sites, Mr Lammers said the multimodal nature of SOHAR and its position outside the Strait of Hormuz proved to be a point of interest.



“We have been inundated with enquiries from both shows. Participants were particularly interested in the time and cost savings associated with distributing cargo from outside the Strait of Hormuz, the status of the hundreds of kilometres of expressways being built across Oman, and how each element of our multimodal infrastructure at SOHAR – road, rail, air, and sea – will offer access to the region’s big consumer markets.”



“While faster road and new air transportation links are now available after the opening of Sohar Airport, rail holds the most promise in terms of cargo volumes and efficiency. When fully operational, the transport time for cargo departing SOHAR railway station for the UAE border will be fixed at around 1 hour,” he said.



The Middle East Rail Expo is designed to bring Middle East governments together to design, plan, and build their future rail networks. It is the only regional rail conference and exhibition in partnership with the UAE government, and is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Presidential Affairs. The Cargo Show MENA also brings together cargo and transport logistics supply chains to improve efficiency in the movement of cargo across the Middle East.

Al Siraj Logistics and Warehousing, one of the leading services providers at SOHAR Port and Freezone, has announced that it is being considered for a regional MEED Quality Award for Projects. Having already won a national award for the business park that it is creating at SOHAR, the company is now eagerly awaiting the outcome of the next stage of the prestigious awards according to Chief Financial Officer, Babu Thomas.



“SOHAR has achieved fantastic things in a short space of time and our ambition is to support its remarkable track record in attracting foreign investment to Oman and, at the same time create a legacy of our own. As the port and freezone operate on a landlord basis we saw an opportunity to serve supply chains by building state-of-the-art warehousing and we are all delighted to have won the Small Project of the Year Award.”







“However, we did not expect to be in contention for a regional award so soon after signing a contract with SOHAR, especially when you look at the pace with which the GCC logistics sector is shaping up. The sector is projected to grow from US$8 billion to US$12 billion over the coming years, and while we are focused on turning this trend into business opportunities, we also have one eye on the outcome of the awards now.”



Al Siraj has been a key driver for economic and social progress in Oman, with its broad portfolio of activities spanning oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, education, tourism, F&B, and technology industries. Its high quality brand of ready-to-occupy facilities are the first of a kind development on the freezone, and the first 14,000 square metre phase of the business park opened to businesses towards the end of last year.



In association with Mashreq Bank, MEED Quality Awards for Projects aim to raise the standard of business projects through benchmarking best practices specified in project briefs and excellence provided in project delivery. Winning an award is seen as sending a message to markets that firms have demonstrated quality throughout the project management process, from concept planning to engineering and construction.

CEO Andre Toet has said that SOHAR Port and Freezone can become an important conduit through which food manufacturers can reach booming Middle East markets at a fraction of the current cost. His remarks were made as SOHAR prepares to exhibit the benefits of its unique position outside of the Strait of Hormuz at Gulfood 2015, and follows a deal with Sohar Flour Mills to construct a new flour mill at the Omani port.



“Growing populations and a 90 percent dependence on food imports is a perfect recipe for growth; the value of regional food markets will hit US$53 billion in 2020. This offers great returns for the industry, but it is also increasing the region’s food bill. Part of the challenge is operating costs in big cities, and our aim is to harness our location, connectivity, and rates to cut the cost of putting food on tables,” explained Mr Toet.







“On top of not having to pay the additional costs of passing through the Strait of Hormuz, land and energy rates at SOHAR are very competitive when compared with other ports and distribution centres across the region. Oman’s Free Trade Agreements with the US and Singapore also offer potential costs savings that are not so readily available in some other parts of the region, especially its FTA with the US,” he continued.



According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food exports were expected to account for US$150 billion and supported 1 million jobs in 2014. Like the Middle East, Singapore is heavily dependent on food imports, and Mr Toet added that in addition to creating supply chains, revenue, and jobs serving regional markets, there is a very real possibility of creating a transhipment hub for food transiting between East and West.



“Our first ambition is to serve the GCC, but where the chance to align FTA agreements and food markets to present itself, we would certainly consider any proposal to expand our remit and services,” said Mr Toet.



Together with new road, air, and planned rail links, ground handling equipment at SOHAR is already able to accommodate food imports and the Port will soon be home to Oman’s first dedicated terminal for handling agricultural products. Work is set to begin on grain storage facilities, sugar refinery, flour mill, and two manufacturing plants that will produce millions of tonnes of environmentally-friendly packaging materials.



Established 25 years ago, Gulfood has developed a reputation among exporters for delivering spectacular returns on investment. For the exporter seeking new sales from the Middle East, Africa and Asia, Gulfood provides an unequalled sourcing platform, where international flavours find world-class business. It is the world’s biggest annual food and hospitality show, and in making its debut at the event, SOHAR will join the world’s biggest companies. Gulfood 2015 will be held at Dubai World Trade Centre on 8-12 February 2015.



Visit SOHAR at stand D-116 in the Zabeel Pavilion.

SOHAR Port signed a leased contract with Sohar Flour Mills on Wednesday 28 January 2015, ahead of the planned construction of a new flour mill with a capacity of 500 MT per day. The signing took place at the SOHAR Port and Freezone annual business reception which drew participation from public and private sector dignitaries and representatives from key diplomatic missions based in Muscat. 

Contracts were signed and exchanged by HE Sultan bin Salim Al Habsi, Chairman of SOHAR Port and Freezone, and Mr. Khamis bin Abdullah Al Farsi, Chairman of Atyab Investments.

A second contract was signed with Centre Point Logistics (CPL), who will take up the option of a plot at SOHAR Freezone for the expansion of its logistics, warehousing, and storage facilities. Contracts were signed and exchanged by HE Sultan bin Salim Al Habsi, Chairman of SOHAR Port and Freezone, and Mr. Saleh Said Lootah, Chairman of CPL Dubai.

Centre Point Logistics represent one of the leading companies in the logistics and industrial sector from their main office in JAFZA, Dubai.

SOHAR Port and Freezone has revealed throughput figures for 2014 at a press conference held before its annual business reception at the Chedi Hotel in Muscat. Speaking at the conference, CEO Andre Toet said that container throughput grew 58 percent, with cars and break bulk also performing well.

The rise in container traffic can be attributed to the relocation of commercial traffic from Muscat. Break bulk cargo increased by 51 percent, while the number of cars handled by SOHAR grew 99 percent, to 122,000. This followed a deal to create a regional distribution hub, and together with existing throughput, this figure will grow to 200,000.

The reception also provided the backdrop for the launch of the 2015 SOHAR Annual Magazine.

Centre Point Logistics represent one of the leading companies in the logistics and industrial sector from their main office in JAFZA, Dubai.

SOHAR Port and Freezone has revealed throughput figures for 2014 at a press conference held before its annual business reception at the Chedi Hotel in Muscat. Speaking at the conference, CEO Andre Toet said that container throughput grew 58 percent, with cars and break bulk also performing well.

The rise in container traffic can be attributed to the relocation of commercial traffic from Muscat. Break bulk cargo increased by 51 percent, while the number of cars handled by SOHAR grew 99 percent, to 122,000. This followed a deal to create a regional distribution hub, and together with existing throughput, this figure will grow to 200,000.

The reception also provided the backdrop for the launch of the 2015 SOHAR Annual Magazine.

Dubai: Centre Point Logistics, Dubai’s leading provider of logistics, warehousing, and storage, has expanded its operations in the GCC after a deal was signed with SOHAR Port and Freezone in the Sultanate of Oman.

The agreement will see CPL manage a 50,000sqm plot of land on the Freezone, and represents the first phase of expansion into KSA. It is also a significant coup for the Omani port authority, as UAE firms seek to take advantage of competitive energy and land rates, and transport links to KSA from outside the Strait of Hormuz.



Centre Point Logistics, with its pioneering Open Architecture model currently operates from several locations in UAE. CPL Logistics Hub in Jebel Al Free Zone, spanning over 200,000sqm, provides various value-added services to the logistics and supply chain sector and boasts an impressive range of local and global customers.







Saleh Saeed Lootah, Chairman of Centre Point Logistics, commented: “With our local and regional growth and changing dynamics of UAE logistics and supply chain market, there has arisen a more challenging business environment that needs ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking in order to provide more tailored solutions that meet the changing needs of customers. From the time business negotiations began, CPL has received a welcoming response from SOHAR Freezone and we’re excited to start operations.”



“We are glad that we have found what we consider the best possible solution for our customers, who have businesses in UAE and Oman. We believe that SOHAR Freezone will be a step towards CPL KSA expansion and serving both markets with our unique Open Architecture model,” he added.

With its strategic location and road network linking UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, the agreement with SOHAR Freezone was described as a milestone expansion for CPL and will enable the company to offer its clients the most efficient and cost effective services. The road distance between Dubai and Sohar, via Al Ain, is just 243 kilometers and the drive time is two hours and 36 minutes. The business benefits are also comprehensive.

CPL plans to have its Oman Logistics Hub ready at the beginning of first-quarter of 2015, and will offer its services to local as well as to international companies. CPL also plans to grow its operations in Oman, from the initial with 50,000sqm of land, with the option to strengthen its footprint in the country in the near future.

As in Dubai, CPL will dispatch a highly skilled operational team to SOHAR Freezone, where it will serve the company’s Oman-based customers with added-value services that cater to new and existing customers.

Centre Point Logistics (CPL) was founded in 2005 by its visionary chairman Saleh Saeed Lootah, who is also the Executive Director of well-known UAE business conglomerate S.S. Lootah Group, established in 1956.

SOHAR Port and Freezone and Essa Al Ghurair Investment have entered into a new partnership with the aim of promoting value chain, food processing, and logistics support within a growing multibillion dollar regional food industry.



Essa Al Ghurair Investment will lease a 93,000 square metre plot from SOHAR Port and Freezone until July 2043. The creation of Sohar Food Cluster Company will allow Essa Al Ghurair Investments to focus on the development of value chains, which will be ideal considering the availability of dedicated infrastructure and competitive prices at SOHAR; robust food demand in the GCC, and strong financial projections for a number of identified industries and projects.

In addition to this agreement there will be a purchase of prevailing assets from SOHAR Port and Freezone.



The contract was signed by H.E. Sultan Bin Salem Al Habsi, Chairman of SOHAR Port and Freezone, Andre Toet, SOHAR CEO, and Chairman of Essa Al Ghurair Investment Company, H.E. Essa Bin Abdullah Al Ghurair. Contracts were signed at the Dubai World Trade Centre during Gulfood 2015. As the world’s largest food and hospitality show, the signing provided a reminder of the role both companies can play in reducing the cost of getting food in and out of the Gulf.



“We are delighted to welcome Essa Al Ghurair Investment and its Sohar Food Cluster Company to SOHAR. As part of our agreement, Sohar Food Cluster Company will have the option to begin developing, either by themselves or through joint ventures with international companies, services and industries that are linked to production, initially at Sohar Flour Mill,” said Mr Toet.



Sohar Food Cluster Company will be located adjacent to the flour mill and sugar refinery at SOHAR, and will be close to the grain storage facility that is being built as part of the food security strategy of the Sultanate of Oman. As these activities grow, they are expected to contribute to downstream industries and support the growth of dry bulk cargo volumes.



“Developing agricultural production and local value added services carries with it the potential to assert greater control over food prices and food security, and create local job opportunities,” concluded Mr. Toet.

“We are thrilled at this partnership which highlights the growing food demand in a region with a heavy dependence on food imports. With accelerated population growth, this partnership will enhance direct access to Oman and other key export markets in the GCC, as well as Iran, Pakistan, and East Africa,” said H.E. Essa Bin Abdullah Al Ghurair, Chairman of Essa Al Ghurair Investment.



Essa Al Ghuriar Investment is the second company to sign a deal with SOHAR in the last week, after Dubai’s Centre Point Logistics entered into a contract to lease a 50,000 square metre plot as a stepping stone to its planned expansion into KSA.

A team of students from International Maritime College Oman in Sohar are readying themselves to take on the world’s sailing elite later this month. Nine of the college team will be comprised of by students from the college, many of whom will have had no prior racing experience, but that will count for nothing when the first leg of the race begins in Muscat on 15 February, said skipper and Department head, Mathijs Steven.



“For most members of the IMCO team it will be their very first race. They have been put through a rigorous training programme and have made great progress and are happy to be underdogs,” declared Mr. Steven.







“SATT 2015 will be a steep learning curve for the students. Some of them have already gone through a dip in confidence as the reality of what they are about to do, and who they are competing with starts to sink in. But, they have pushed through that and can’t wait to get started. The energy is fantastic,” he continued.



With 25 years’ experience in sailing Mathijs Steven said that he is aware he will be the figurehead of the team and that he will need to draw on all of his years’ at sea to guide his young team through the challenge of one of the world’s toughest sailing events. However, he remains confident in the abilities of his team.



“For me, it is important that each step from trim, tactics, and boat handling is identified. However, if there is one thing I have learned from racing it is that plans tend to fall apart during the race so I have to remain flexible and alert. The team have also shown great ability, grit, determination, and character,” he said.



Among the students taking part are four Omanis, aged between 21 and 24 years old. The youngest student on the team will be Indian first year student Jaya Krishnan, who is training to be deck officer. Meanwhile two of their team mates will be 25 year old marine engineering students, Azamat Nazkeyev and Nauryzbek Bekpembetov, both from Kazakhstan. Speaking ahead of the race, Azamat explained that the first time he tried sailing was in September 2014 following a presentation by Oman Sail, while for Nauryzbek, his first experience sailing came a month after his compatriot, during the college’s SATT team selection process.



“I am doing my best to fit training into my schedule so I can be prepared to represent the school and to give my best for the team. Normally I try to swim 3 times a week and walk more, but in the last few weeks it has been hard because of the final examinations. Still I am proud to have been selected,” said Nauryzbek.



“I don’t know how hard it will be as I have never been at sea for 15 days. The most I have been at sea is 14 hours,” explained Azamat. “But I can imagine the biggest challenge will be lack of sleep and seasickness. I am just focused on being fully rested and I hope I will be proud of my SATT performance,” he continued.



Like most of the team, which includes Omani, Kazakh, and Indian students, Azamat and Nauryzbek remain modest and describe themselves as having no particular skills, but according to their skipper, the one thing that set them apart was their ability to focus. More than 100 students tried out for the SATT team and were initially briefed by Mr. Mohsin al Busaidi, the first modern Arab to sail non-stop around the world in 2009.



Following which, the group was whittled down to 30, and then sixteen, before a final team of nine students were chosen. With the race just around the corner, training has taken place and students and staff alike are making their final preparations for the 15 challenging days they will encounter over the course of the race.



“The challenge is one of the main reasons we opened up SATT team selection to students. It will be a good test and preparation for the team’s maritime education. As the only education and training institute in the GCC to offer diploma, degree, and short courses for maritime, shipping, port transport, and petrochemical process industries, we are proud to be the first higher education institution in Oman to take part in Sail Arabia. We are excited for the race to begin,” said Acting Deputy Dean of Academic Affairs, Patrick Wells.



Sail Arabia – The Tour is an annual event and is contested by teams racing identical Farr 30 Yachts along a course stretching crewmembers to their limits, and testing teamwork and versatility. From The Wave in Muscat, teams will then travel to Sohar; and around the Musandam Peninsula to UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.



The main campus of International Maritime College Oman, a joint venture with STC-Group of Rotterdam, is located next to SOHAR Port and Freezone, one of the world’s largest port and free zone development sites.

China-Oman friendship dates back to ancient times. In the 7th century, the Maritime Silk Road wound its way from East Asia to Arabian Peninsula and to East Africa, stringing up numerous ports along the way. From that time, this ancient thoroughfare had fostered close political, economic, trade and cultural interactions between the two countries. The legendary Sindbad, hero of the “Seven Voyages of Sindbad the Sailor”, one of the most famous tales in the One Thousand and One Nights, is based on an Omani adventurer who traveled from Sohar to southern China in the 8th century.

Sohar is often claimed to be the birthplace of the legendary Sindbad. And with the development of Sohar Port and Freezone, Sohar not only boasts the historic seafaring prowess, but also serves as a centre of global trade routes between Asia and Europe in modern times.

Remarkable development has been achieved in Sohar under the wise policy adopted by the government of H.M. Sultan Qaboos. It has become the largest and most important port of the Sultanate. The opening of Sohar airport gives more impetus to the cargo movement in and out. The undergoing GCC railway system and new roads to Riyadh will boost Sohar’s hinterland connectivity to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, raising its profile as a competitive gateway into the GCC, as well as to the rest of the world.

With the global economy entering a period of profound, post financial crisis readjustment, connectivity is a common pursuit undertaken by many developing countries. As our forefathers opened up the Silk Road from its early beginning, we are convinced that strengthening connectivity is consistent with the trend of times, representing a common necessity for the international community. Drawing inspiration from the traditional good relationship with foreign countries of the region, China has proposed a major initiative of building the “Silk Road Economic Belt” and the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” (or “the Belt and the Road” in short) which entails transport connectivity, trade facilitation, and cultural exchanges between countries along the Silk Road both on land and sea. Consolidating the values and spirit of “peace, cooperation, openness, inclusiveness, and mutual benefit”, this initiative will achieve common development among relevant countries.

As for regional partners, there is enormous cooperation potential and development prospect from this initiative. They will be provided with broader market, more abundant capital, and more affluent products from China. At the same time, they may benefit from China’s expertise in infrastructure development by working jointly in projects such as road, railway, aviation, maritime shipping, energy, pipeline, telecommunication, etc. The key pilot zones for free trade and selected ports can serve as testing grounds for such cooperation. With historical connections via the ancient Maritime Silk Road and deepening relations in the new decade, we are expecting great opportunities in Sohar Port and Freezone to build an even closer network of transport and trade between East Asia, South Asia and the Middle East, which will in turn enable the completion of logistical and industrial chain covering the region.

Let us pool our wisdom and resources, work together to write a new chapter of the Maritime Silk Road.

Yu Fulong is Chinese Ambassador to Oman.

An opening ceremony was held by SOHAR Port and Freezone under the auspices of His Excellency Dr. Ali Al Sunaidi, Minister for Commerce and Industry, in which a new ferrochrome smelter was officially unveiled on the Freezone. The smelter is the second of five planned for SOHAR, and production at the new 100,000 square metre, US$19 million site will be led by Gulf Mining Group, who signed a 25 year lease in 2012.

Investment in the smelter is part of a push to grow our metals cluster; to complement and support iron and aluminium industries at SOHAR Port, according to SOHAR CEO Jamal Aziz, who said: “The metals cluster at SOHAR is one of the most growing, with a high economic yield. Studies indicate iron industries and their derivatives have experienced exceptional growth as they continue to strive to meet demand,” he said.

“The Gulf Mining Ferrochrome Smelter is the second of five planned for SOHAR Freezone, and will go a long way towards meeting that demand. Meanwhile, it will also become part of a Freezone that has attracted 26 investment projects since its inception in 2010. With a total value estimated at US$620 million, the number of workers engaged in Freezone projects reached 2,400, with 3 times the number of indirect jobs created as a result of procurement contracts signed by local companies to provide services to multinationals,” he said.

More than 30 jobs have been created at the Gulf Mining plant which will produce ferrochrome primarily for use in producing stainless steel, of which 80 percent of this compound is ferrochrome. Close to 90 indirect jobs will also be created as a result of production at the plant, and with global ferrochrome and stainless steel output set for growth, Mr. Aziz thanked the Gulf Mining Group for its timely introduction at SOHAR.



“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Gulf Mining Group for this important project, through which a significant value will be added to the natural resources of the Sultanate. Instead of exporting chromite as a raw material to foreign markets, processing can take place locally. I also thank them for their commitment to the development of human resources in the industry, and wish them every success.”



Global production of stainless steel reached 4.8 million metric tonnes in 2014, with China and South Africa the major players in international markets, and since ferrochrome imparts the non-corrosive property to stainless steel there is a strong positive correlation in the outlook for both industries. With the outlook for markets in Europe in particular looking positive for 2015, the addition of a second ferrochrome plant at SOHAR bodes well in terms of expanding production and firming up interests in EU markets and beyond.

At the same time, dry bulk cargo, including the raw materials required to produce ferrochrome, achieved a growth of 37 percent at SOHAR Port in 2013. Volumes surpassed 26 million tonnes annually and accounted for half of the 50 million tonnes of cargo handled. In 2014, growth across all cargo types has been similarly impressive, with the port welcoming its first 2,000th ship in a calendar year, and a 13 percent rise in GRT.

C. Steinweg Oman, operator of the multipurpose cargo terminal at SOHAR Port and Freezone, has bolstered its ground handling capacity following the arrival of a 100Mton lifting capacity Gottwald HMK 6407 crane today. With the new arrival – delivered by SAL Heavy Lift – the terminal operator now boasts three mobile harbour cranes; the maximum single crane lifting capacity has increased from 80 Mtons to 100 Mtons.



“The crane is a significant investment, and one which will support growth at SOHAR, as the number of ships and the volume of cargo handled at its terminal continues to grow. Demand for project and break bulk is expected to increase in line with investment in major road and rail projects in Oman, and the additional capacity will be significant going forward,” said SOHAR Executive Commercial Manager, Edwin Lammers.







The US$250 billion Gulf Railway and US$2.5 billion Batinah Expressway are some of the projects requiring millions of tonnes of construction materials, imported as fully-assembled project cargo, or raw materials that will feed iron and steel production at SOHAR. There has been a significant rise in demand for tower cranes in the Middle East, while many of the materials used to build the runway, terminal buildings, and surrounding infrastructure at Sohar Airport, were imported through C. Steinweg Oman’s terminal gates.



Towards the end of last year, Larsen & Toubro Heavy Engineering also made the headlines when exporting the world’s largest gas plant boiler from SOHAR, and with billions of dollars committed to the development of modern transport links around the logistical hub, Mr. Lammers explained how C. Steinweg has grown from being the first operational company at the 12 year-old port, to become an integral part of its future.



“C. Steinweg was the first operational company at SOHAR. Its jetties provided the gateway for the project and construction cargo necessary to build the port and we are delighted that it has increased its ability to serve the industry within the Sultanate and across the GCC. This will boost our contribution to the domestic economy, and will create jobs in the logistics industry that will transport cargo to and from SOHAR.”



With long-term growth in the Oman construction industry forecasted at 6.3 percent and the government’s five-year spending plan of USD$78 billion on infrastructure investment to look forward to, the crane will be operational almost immediately following its arrival and installation. GAC Oman acted as the agent.

• Synergies between agricultural terminal and petrochemicals highlighted at Dubai shows


• SOHAR participates at arabplast 2015 and PlastiCon 2015 trades shows with key tenants


• Food processing and packaging industries high on agenda, but not only investor option

SOHAR Port and Freezone plans to take full advantage of the expansion of its petrochemicals industries in order to attract downstream plastics manufacturers to the logistics hub ahead of the construction of Oman’s first dedicated agricultural terminal. This was the message delivered by SOHAR officials to industry leaders and experts at arabplast 2015 and GPCA PlastiCon 2015 trade shows, both held in Dubai this week.

“With the planned construction of an agricultural terminal and anticipated influx of grain products that will accompany its completion, our aim is to attract new investment in food and food processing industries and create a cluster than can feed the region. Grain silos and a sugar refinery are already in the pipeline, and as this sector grows, the opportunities for packaging companies to serve multinational businesses will grow.”

“We are pleased to see the response that we have had to the news that more than 1.5 million tonnes of environmentally-friendly packaging materials will soon be produced at SOHAR, led by Oman International Petrochemical Industry Company. This will centre on production of PET typically used in the manufacturing of single-serve beverage and soft drink bottles,” said Executive Commercial Manager, Edwin Lammers.

In addition, the Liwa Plastics Project will provide polyethylene and polypropylene to packaging companies interested in setting up operations at SOHAR. This US$3.6 billion steam cracker project is being developed at SOHAR by Oman Oil Refineries & Petroleum Industries and will be integrated with the existing refinery, aromatics plant, and polypropylene plant. But packaging is not the only option, according to Mr. Lammers.

“The link between food and plastics is clear. The global packaging industry will generate US$975 billion in sales by 2018, and 60 percent of that will be created in the food industry. Thirty percent of packaging is made from plastics, and 90 percent of the region’s foodstuffs are imported. Much of this is pre-packaged elsewhere at a higher cost and our aim is to leverage our low-cost energy resources to reduce that cost.”

“However, packaging is not the only option available to potential investors. High density polyethylene and PET can be extruded for use in large-scale water and other types of piping, for example. This bodes well for the region’s construction industry, though we do not envision SOHAR being able to supply this industry just yet. Nevertheless, all of the plastics that will be produced at the port remain extremely versatile,” he said.

On show at Dubai World Trade Centre from 10-13 January 2015, the SOHAR stand at arabplast 2015 was a joint construction undertaken with Oman Oil Refineries & Petroleum Industries. More than 25,000 visitors from over 100 countries attended the event, with hundreds enquiring about the investment opportunities on offer. A similarly positive response was received at PlastiCon 2015, held between 11-12 January 2015.

SOHAR Port and Freezone is today celebrating the arrival of the record-breaking 2000th vessel to call at the Batinah port in 2014, according to Executive Commercial Manager Edwin Lammers. It is the first time that the landmark figured has officially been reached in a year, and comes ahead of the start of the New Year.

Mr. Lammers said: “We have just this morning received word that the 2000th vessel call has arrived and is docked and awaiting to be unloaded. This is a fantastic achievement in a year full of new records and, while we have also been faced with challenges, it is a clear indication of the direction that we are headed in.”

“Our success in growing the number of vessel calls so quickly and in such a short space of time since start-up would not have been possible without the dedication of the 9,000 people that make SOHAR tick, as well as the businesses and partnerships we have welcomed over the years. It is a pleasure to see that everyone is pulling in the same direction and I extend thanks to all those associated with SOHAR,” said Mr. Lammers.

Officials at the port welcomed the vessel, a 200 metre Glovis Superior vehicle carrier, at the multipurpose cargo terminal operated by C. Steinweg Oman. Once unloaded, the vessel which departed from Sharjah in UAE is destined to make the journey cross the Arabian Sea on its way to Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. The ship is sailing under the flag of the Republic of the Marshal Islands.

More than 200,000 cars are imported annually through SOHAR, following a deal signed at the start of the year with Saud Bahwan. As a representative of brands that include Toyota, Lexus, Ford, Daihatsu, and Kia, the company leased a 400,000 square metre plot at SOHAR Freezone for a vehicle storage and distribution centre for Toyota and Lexus. Similar deals are already in place with Suhail Bahwan and OTE at SOHAR.

However, while the 2000th vessel brought vehicles, Mr. Lammers said the wider implications for economic growth and diversification are far greater than an individual ship: “SOHAR has done well to build volumes across all cargo types and the diversity in our portfolio has been one of our key assets. As more ships come, cargo fees will drop and we will see SOHAR transform from its role as a feeder port to a regional hub.”

SOHAR Port and Freezone has announced the programme for its annual SOHAR Safer Driving Week, which will run from 16-18 December 2014. The 2014 campaign will combine defensive driving courses and crash simulators with activities that target Port and Freezone road users and highlight the need for a more personal focus on local road safety, said SOHAR Corporate Affairs Executive Manager Suwaid Al Shamaisi.

“While the number of deaths in road traffic accidents in Oman is in decline, some 12 percent of accidents in the Sultanate still turn out to be fatal. As a contributor to road traffic, we feel a sense of responsibility to ensure that everyone that passes through our gates is equipped to drive responsibly,” Suwaid Al Shamaisi.

“The planned initiatives will educate drivers about day-to-day risks and, long-term, aims to save lives across Oman. By focusing on Port and Freezone road users, SOHAR Port and Freezone will tackle potential dangers on the road more directly and will set a benchmark for other organisations to follow,” he added.

Said bin Hamdoon bin Saif Al Harthy, Undersecretary of Ministry of Transport and Communications’ Ports and Maritime Affairs will launch the three-day event, with Mr. Amor Nasser Amor Al Matani, Chairman of Oman Road Safety Association expected to provide an update on the status of road safety in Oman at the official opening ceremony on 16 December 2014. Shaima Murtadha Ali Al Lawati, CEO of the Oman Road Safety Association, will lead a seminar on the special driving risks present in local and global port areas.

Similar seminars will also be held on load safety for commercial vehicles and the effects of mobile phone use while driving. Other activities that include an SMS test and a daily flier drop will aim to further drive home important messages about safe driving within the community, according to SOHAR CEO Andre Toet.

“Safe driving is a serious matter, but it doesn’t start on the roads. It starts with a change in mentality, and while we cannot stop accidents from happening, changing attitudes through education programmes like the SOHAR Safer Driving Week is something we can do. As a leading business and employer of over 9,000 people, we have an obligation to instil this within every driver and on every road in Oman,” said Mr. Toet.

As part of its corporate social responsibility programme, SOHAR will use the event to bring key influencers, CEOs, and VIP guests together to amplify the importance of road safety among their respective circles of influence.

SOHAR Port and Freezone has announced that it is set to follow in the footsteps of companies like Coca-Cola, after a deal was struck with Oman International Petrochemical Industry Company (OMPET) to build a fully renewable manufacturing facility that will produce close to 1.5 million tonnes of environmentally-friendly packaging materials. The plant will complement the port’s existing petrochemicals supply chain, and will feed into a global beverage industry that is currently valued at approximately US$1.3 trillion.



The agreement will see OMPET lease a 330,000 square metre plot at SOHAR for the production of 250 kilotons of Poly Ethylene Terephthalate (PET), which is used to manufacture bottles that are primarily used to package soft drinks and single-serve beverages. PET can also be recycled for use in producing anything from polyester clothing, to sleeping bag insulation and carpeting. Once fully operational the new facility will create 300 direct jobs and produce 1.1 million tonnes of PTA – the raw material used to produce PET.







In a further bid to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project, the OMPET manufacturing plant will be located next to Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic) and will consume all of the paraxylene produced by Orpic’s Aromatics unit. Paraxylene is a key ingredient in producing fully renewable PTA and, together with a global distribution centre that will be also built, the OMPET plant is just one of five brand new facilities to be added to SOHAR’s petrochemical cluster over the next five years.

“We are delighted to have finalised a deal with OMPET to lease a significant part of the port for producing renewable packaging materials. Demand for PET packaging globally reached 12 million tonnes in 2010, and this will continue to grow to around 20 million by 2019,” said SOHAR Chief Executive Officer, Andre Toet.

“While the processes and technology to produce environmentally-friendly packaging have been around for some time, we believe that SOHAR possesses the raw materials, energy, and ideal location to capitalise on encouraging market trends, and produce and distribute it on a global commercial scale,” he added.

“Not only is it essential for the local economy that we continue to attract global players in growing markets, but the plant will also have extremely important implications for climate change and the environment.”

According to research published by leading food and beverage specialist FoodBev Media Ltd, a half-litre plastic water bottle uses as little as 9.2 grams of PET, nearly 40 percent less than the average amount just a few years ago. Lightweight PET bottles also require fewer raw materials to produce, less fuel for transport, and are still completely recyclable. Similarly, the manufacturing and transportation of PET containers has far lower greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption than aluminium and glass alternatives.

However, one of the biggest values the plant will add to the economy will be the extent to which it replaces many of the foreign imports currently used to produce PET, with locally-sourced raw materials. The growth of supporting industries is also expected to multiply employment by five times the number of direct jobs created, and SOHAR CEO Freezone Jamal Aziz declared that the timing of the deal couldn’t be better.

“As well as bottles, PET can be used within electrical, automotive, and consumer appliance industries – many of which already have strong business interests in SOHAR. On top of that, the Gulf region is close to becoming a net exporter of PET products, and could soon have a surplus of 1 million tonnes,” Mr. Toet said.

“We want to be a contributor to that surplus, and to help Oman become a byword for high quality PET exports. As we continue to accommodate the commercial traffic from Muscat, we are also aware of the opportunities that will come as a result of increasing demand, particularly in the Gulf and Asia-Pacific.”

According to Global Business Intelligence, the demand for flexible PET bottles has been driven largely by FMCG and pharmaceutical industries, and grew at a compound annual growth rate of 7 percent over the last decade. Production is projected to grow by 6.4 percent, to 23 million tonnes by 2020, and almost half of this demand came from the Asia-Pacific. Global PET production was valued at US$29 billion in 2013.

At SOHAR we’re very excited about future of Oman: it has huge potential to grow into a strong economic force, and the projects that we’re welcoming into the Port and Freezone are testament to that. So, we’re pleased to share a recent special international report, featured in National Geographic, which reports the changing face of Oman: what sets the region apart, the dramatic shift in demographics, it’s investment in renewable resources and it’s economic diversification towards tourism, logistics and infrastructure.

It’s well worth a look – click here to download the article.

Hundreds of school and college students joined officials and staff from SOHAR Port and Freezone at a two-day beach and mangrove clean-up close to the logistics hub in northern Oman. Having issued an invitation to schools and colleges, officials at Oman’s premier logistics hub said they were completely overwhelmed with the response, and said the turnout reflected the strong commitment to the environment in the city.

“We have been overwhelmed by the number of schools that responded to our invitation to join the beach clean-up, and would like to thank everyone who took part for their hard work and dedication. We are also delighted with the strong message that the event sends about just how much by the residents in Al Batinah care about their environment,” said SOHAR Executive Manager of Corporate Affairs, Suwaid Al Shamaisi.

The two-day clean-up was held at Harmoul Beach on on 2-3 December, and began with a briefing at SOHAR Port Headquarters in which staff and students from participating schools were briefed on the importance of keeping beaches and ecosystems clean and safe. Staff from the SOHAR also run through a list of health and safety precautions and discussed some of the similar initiatives the port authority has already undertaken.

Following the brief, students collected and bagged rubbish from the beach, much of it plastic waste washed up and deposited by high tides. On the second day, college students picked up rubbish tangled in the maze of mangrove roots at the beach, and SOHAR Freezone CEO Jamal Aziz expressed his thoughts on the event.



“The beach clean-up has been a resounding success, but as our tagline suggests, ‘It all starts here’. This and the other initiatives we have undertaken to protect the environment are just the beginning, and it will take small, regular, consistent acts from all of us if we are to preserve Oman’s spectacular coastline,” he said.

Prior to the event, Mr. Aziz said: “Environmental sustainability is rooted in Oman’s culture, and is a key part of the vision of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos when he institutionalised both the ‘Vision 2020’ development strategy and UNESCO Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Preservation. The beach and mangrove clean-ups are a part of our commitment to ensuring that this vision is realised, and that the ecosystems surrounding our Port and Freezone and the wildlife they support are protected for many years to come.”

He continued: “It is also a chance to engage the local community and bring school and college students together to share a message of sustainability that we hope will be passed on to future generations. This is at the heart of our pursuit of a more sustainable way of working, and while students may not yet see the benefit of a few days cleaning, our aim is to instil a desire to become genuinely sustainable citizens.”

Oman has scattered but fairly dense mangroves on the northeast coast and some small stands with trees of up to 6 metres in height on the southeast coast. One of the largest mangrove forests is found in the capital, Muscat. However, northern Al Batinah is also home to significant mangrove areas, including those at Harmoul beach – home to many types of local and migratory birds and part of a local conservation area.  

SOHAR has capped what has been a record-breaking year by winning one of the most coveted awards in the maritime bulk industry. The International Bulk Journal Awards offer companies the chance to recognise excellence among their peers, and Executive Commercial Manager Edwin Lammers was on hand to receive the 2014 Safety in Bulk Handling Award at a glittering gala at the Beurs-World Trade Centre in Rotterdam.

Image: Edwin Lammers receiving the Safety in Bulk Cargo Handling Award from Morten Lovstad, DNVGL

As sponsor of the Environment Protection Award, Mr Lammers also presented an IBJ award to UAE shipping company, Emarat Maritime. This award acknowledges organisations that make a noteworthy contribution to reducing pollution in and around dry bulk ports and the world’s oceans, and is awarded based on concept, implementation, and impact. After, Mr Lammers spoke about what the award means to SOHAR.

Image: Edwin Lammers announcing the winner of the Environment Protection Award 

“It is an honour to able to receive the 2014 Safety in Bulk Handling Award on behalf of my colleagues and the businesses that have made SOHAR Port and Freezone what it is today. It amazing to think of what we have achieved over the last twelve months, and this awards reflects a sensational period in our history.”

“A tremendous amount of work has gone into maintaining the safety of our bulk operations at an especially critical time for our business. From receiving the first 10,000 TEU ship and the transfer of commercial traffic from Muscat, to coordinating complex lease agreements among global joint ventures and accommodating double digit growth across all cargo types, this process has not been without its challenges. Nevertheless, our aim remains to create a world-class logistics hub and freezone right here in Oman,” said Mr. Lammers.

Image: Edwin Lammers presented Environment Protection Award for Marine to Emarat Maritime, United Arab Emirates

SOHAR is one of the world’s largest port and freezone development sites and has followed up investments totalling US$21 billion with remarkable bulk growth indicators. Equipped with deep-water jetties capable of handling some of the world’s largest ships, it experienced exceptionally strong growth of 37 percent in dry bulk cargo in recent years, rising to 26 million tonnes annually. As a result, dry bulk cargo accounts for over half of the 50 million tonnes of cargo handled at SOHAR, while liquid and other bulk continue to increase.

The next step for the company will be to build Oman’s first terminal dedicated to grain and other foodstuffs at SOHAR. The terminal will be managed by Atyab Investment and Oman Flour Mills, and will be linked to the construction of grain silos with a capacity of 200,000 tonnes, as well as a sugar refinery that is projected to generate 1 million tonnes in raw sugar imports. Construction is expected to commence early next year.

“The growth of bulk cargo is noteworthy since the main contributors – Brazilian iron ore giant Vale, Indian steelmaker Jindal Steel & Power, and Sohar Aluminium, only began operations after the last recession. Still, the manufacturing of primary products is having a knock-on effect on industries and lowering dependence on imports. The agricultural terminal is also expected to improve food security,” explained Mr Lammers.

Image: Edwin Lammers presented Environment Protection Award for Cargo Handling to AustraliaRam Spreaders and Patrick Ports and Stevedoring, Australia

Having joined SOHAR in 2009, Mr. Lammers is part of a long-serving management team that has witnessed the port muscle its way into the world top 100 ports following the completion of a US$130 million project that increased container capacity to 1.5 million TEU. Heading up the management team at Oman’s premier port are former Maersk Central Europe and current SOHAR CEO, Andre Toet, and SOHAR Freezone CEO Jamal Aziz, who expressed their delight at the news SOHAR had won the ‘Safety in Bulk Handling Award’.

“Receiving an IBJ award is a great endorsement of how others view our operations, and we are delighted to win an award for safety in bulk handling. There is a great unity developing among an exceptional group of people at SOHAR and it is nice to see their hard work getting the recognition it deserves,” said Mr. Toet.

SOHAR was launched in 2002 as a joint venture between the Port of Rotterdam and the Sultanate of Oman, with the concession area expanded to include a 45 million square metre freezone site in 2009. Investments have been secured at a remarkable average of US$39 dollars every second over the last twelve years.

SOHAR has taken another step towards diversifying its business offering and creating a world-class hub for handling agricultural goods, with a stand at the Gulfood Manufacturing Exhibition in Dubai set to engage industry leaders and attract investment according to Executive Commercial Manager, Edwin Lammers.

Having recently announced that Atyab Investment and Oman Flour Mills will build Oman’s first terminal dedicated to grain and other foodstuffs at SOHAR, there are plans for grain silos with a capacity of around 200,000 tonnes, and a sugar refinery that is projected to generate 1 million tonnes in raw sugar imports.

“The importing of vegetables, animal products, and foodstuffs into Oman are worth US$2.7 billion to the economy and with our new agricultural terminal, storage facilities, and transport links, SOHAR is perfectly positioned to become a distribution centre for these products in the Gulf region,” explained Mr. Lammers.

“As we build this infrastructure, projects like the sugar refinery will create opportunities for other industries and we have already had several enquiries from food manufacturers interested in taking advantage of this growth. Our presence at the Gulfood Manufacturing Exhibition will help leverage this interest further”.

Construction work on the sugar refinery complex, also a first for Oman, will begin at the end of the year after an agreement was signed with Oman Sugar Refinery Company LLC in April last year. Under the deal, SOHAR will lease 180,000 square metres of prime waterfront area for the development of the plant. Output is initially envisaged at 700,000 tonnes in the first phase, with full capacity to be reached in three years.

Together with the agricultural terminal and grain storage facilities, this project will take advantage of the excellent facilities provided by the strategically located Port, which include a deep water port an abundance of low-cost energy, and available space on the Freezone. Commercial sugar production is targeted by 2016.

SOHAR has signed new service agreements with four companies that will join the ranks at its bourgeoning freezone. Officials from SOHAR Freezone and representatives from the four companies completed the deals at the Business Opportunities Forum in Muscat on 16 November, as part of ongoing cooperation between the management of SOHAR and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry to promote economic growth.

National Marine Services, Sami National Service Trading, Falaj Al-Qabael International LLC, and Al Batinah International Engineering, will provide a range of general, construction, marine, and maintenance services. SOHAR CEO Jamal Aziz said the combined value of the 18 contracts these companies will manage is around 673,000 OMR. With hundreds of organisations in attendance at the two-day event, Mr. Aziz also took the opportunity to emphasise that SOHAR is committed to its mandate as an SME business promoter.

“We have developed a sizeable manufacturing base and expect investment opportunities to grow rapidly in the coming years. This is in addition to modern infrastructure taking shape in SOHAR, with the opening of SOHAR Airport in two days’ time; as well as the completion of expressways and planned rail freight services in SOHAR.”

“It is also no secret that the biggest and most sustainable economies in the world have been built off of the successes of SMEs. They are one of the biggest drivers of economic growth and form the backbone of modern, prosperous, and diversified supply chains. Our role as a business promoter means we see great potential in supporting forums that inform businesses about the many opportunities that await them in SOHAR.”

“From the outset, our focus centred on building relationships with companies both large and small, and in providing them with the tools they need to succeed. Newcomers in SOHAR are guided through securing the necessary permissions to begin operations through a ‘One-Stop-Shop’ that has been designed to simplify clearance processes for permits. Free Trade Agreements with the United States and Singapore are among the host of other benefits available to business owners, as are the low levels of core capital required – an important consideration for any aspiring start-up or SME,” said Mr. Aziz.

More than 200 Omani companies attended this year’s Business Opportunities Forum, each seeking to secure a share of the lucrative contracts and tenders on offer. Around 60 companies shared details of available projects. Entrepreneurs and senior leaders from the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia were also vying for the opportunity to establish trade partnerships with local and foreign firms at the event.

“It proved very interesting to see companies interact at the Forum, especially given the global nature of those participating in it. It was also a great opportunity for SOHAR to put itself in the shop window and showcase the abundance of land, low-cost energy, and highly skilled staff at its disposal,” said Mr. Aziz.

The Forum was put together by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Public Authority for SME Development, and Oman Oil Company. Its main objective was the advancement of communications and dialogue within the private sector in order to promote trade activities between large multinationals and SMEs. In doing so it is hoped respective business requirements will be better understood and aligned.

The perfect recipe for a more profitable food business

SOHAR is joining thousands of food manufactures at this year’s Gulfood Manufacturing exhibition to discover more about the future of the food industry. This is your chance to meet big brands and distributors in the GCC, talk with investors and find out what manufacturing excellence looks like.

Join us there.

Gulfood Manufacturing
9 – 11 November 2014
Stand: Z-B26
Dubai World Trade Centre

Visit this link to know about SOHAR stand and event details.

Chief Executive Andre Toet has said the decision to allow GAC EnvironHull permission to seek a license to operate its remotely operated hull cleaning systems at SOHAR can revolutionise the industry and put Oman and its forward-thinking leadership firmly on the world map when it comes to technological innovation.

The unmanned, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly remotely operated vehicle uses the latest in underwater cleaning technologies to keep ships free from marine fouling and allow owners to optimise fuel consumption and the overall performance of their vessels. In doing so they will eliminate damage caused by traditional cleaning, remove risks faced by human divers, and stop waste being discharged into the sea.

“The traditional process of brushing can be damaging to the anti-fouling surfaces of a ships’ hull over time – not to mention quite time consuming. However, were the EnvironHull ROV to operate at SOHAR, Oman would revolutionise its shipping industry in the blink of eye. Ships could be cleaned while cargo is loaded and unloaded, the removal of harmful marine growth would increase fuel efficiency, and all of that will have consequences for both health and safety and the global environment” said SOHAR CEO Andre Toet.

“While the initial cost of around US$3.5 per square metre is higher than the US$1.2 spent on divers, when you take into consideration the average US$6 damage caused to anti-fouling surfaces, the EnvironHull ROV is a competitive. On top of this, at 1,000-1,500 square metres per hour, it is also up to five times faster.”

Speaking about the decision in a recent press release, GAC EnvironHull Managing Director said: “SOHAR is a natural choice for the next base of HullWiper due to its strategic location just outside the Gulf and close proximity to international trade routes. As such, it is a port of call for many ships carrying general cargo, liquid shipments, and containers – all of which benefit from the increased efficiency and the cost-savings that come with a foul-free hull. SOHAR is also home to a branch of GAC Oman, which [already] provides a range of shipping, logistics, and marine services to local, regional and international clients,” he said.

Permission for the pioneering cleaning service to seek a license was effectively granted by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA) earlier this week, and is part of a broad environmental initiative at SOHAR. Last month, the port authority’s Environmental Unit entered a new era of cooperation when it invited 10 MECA employees to participate in a series of environmental workshops. Earlier this week eighty-five government leaders, industry officials, and consultants attended the latest instalment of this ground-breaking new programme. Meanwhile, having already become the first port in the Middle East to reward green ships calling at the port, the EnvironHull service means SOHAR is only the fourth port in the region to offer the service. It also became one of only 3 locations to offer ship-to-ship LNG transfer services globally.

“Oman has one of the world’s lowest carbon footprints, at 0.17 percent, and while our growth strategy is ambitious, it remains rooted in the environment. This is the basis for the environmental programmes and workshops, and is also behind the hull cleaning and LNG services,” said SOHAR Freezone CEO Jamal Aziz. 

SOHAR Executive Commercial Manager Edwin Lammers has hailed the progress made in advancing the logistical hubs’ economic interests around the world, and emphasised the importance of pressing forward with national infrastructure projects that allow it to offer unrivalled connectivity across the GCC region.



“SOHAR has developed an outstanding reputation with the world’s commercial giants, and together with the Port of Rotterdam, is expanding its presence in Europe and Asia. Latin America also looms large on the horizon after Port of Rotterdam acquired a major stake in a new green field project called Porto Central.”



“While primarily a venture between Port of Rotterdam and Brazilian firm TPK Logistica SA, the similarities between SOHAR and the Latin American port are striking. Like SOHAR, Porto Central is designed to serve oil and gas, mining, and agricultural industries. It will also double up as an offshore supply base with state-of-the-art container and general cargo terminals charged with handling cars, steel, and ornamental rocks.”



“Leveraging on common denominators will go a long way towards ensuring SOHAR and Oman are able to capitalise on revenue streams emerging from Brazil’s growing economy,” said an upbeat Mr. Lammers.



Fresh from engagements with senior government and private sector officials in the Far East, Mr. Lammers was one of a handful of speakers at the Oman Projects Forum 2014, and seized the opportunity to engage the nation’s top project owners, contractors, consultants, and financiers on projects much closer to home.

                             

“Next year over 2,000 ships will call at SOHAR. Those docking at the container terminal will bring with them a combined capacity of almost 1.2 million TEU. We are also planning for growth across all other cargo types and continue to do so alongside some very exciting developments in road, rail and air transport sectors.”



“Transport links are the lifeblood of any port and freezone development strategy, and will pave the way for exponential growth and propel Oman’s economy to new heights. They will also ensure the nation’s logistics sector can sustain our plans for increasing scale and cutting the cost of transporting goods through Oman.”



In addition to growing cargo volumes, Mr. Lammers emphasised his personal desire to see SOHAR achieve its full potential and progress from its current state as a feeder port, into a hub for ships plying global trade routes. With one eye on the second offering that is in the pipeline for the hugely popular Freezone, ongoing expansion projects in petrochemical, metals and agricultural sectors also featured highly on his agenda.



“The Middle East continues to present tremendous opportunities for foreign investment and our aim is to harness the strategic location of SOHAR; its competitive energy rates and skilled workforce, and ensure opportunities come directly to Oman. This will create space for downstream and service industries in Oman and stimulate employment opportunities that increasing appeal to Oman’s budding young entrepreneurs.”



“This process has already begun to take shape in the petrochemicals cluster at SOHAR, where expansion of the Orpic refinery from 120,000 to 180,000 barrels a day is being undertaken alongside innovative projects that are creating demand for skilled jobs in metals and agricultural sectors, to name just a few industries.”  

SOHAR Port and Freezone will be represented in a 42-strong delegation comprised of senior government and private sector officials set to hold talks with Japanese leaders later this month. As the centre piece in Oman’s efforts to diversify its economy and boost trade relations with the Asian powerhouse, the meetings will provide an opportunity to showcase double-digit growth following US$21 billion investment in the site that the Japanese International Cooperation Agency first recommended it for a port and free zone in 1990.

“Japan has been a long-term friend of SOHAR and played an influential role in its formation over a decade ago. Since then we have been delighted to watch as bilateral trade relations have grown, and aligning the needs of Oman and Japan’s respective economies through the creation of demand-drive goods and services remains high on our list of priorities,” declared SOHAR Executive Commercial Manager, Edwin Lammers.

“Much has already been achieved to this end, with oil and gas and aluminium products featuring heavily among the goods exported from SOHAR to Japan. And as Oman continues to push the boundaries of its economy and upgrade technological infrastructure, the opportunities for Japanese companies to play a part in guiding Oman’s development trajectory are also very clear and we actively welcome new partnerships.”

According to economic figures from 2013, Japan is a major contributor to Oman’s economy, which benefits from a US$2.5 billion surplus. This surplus includes imports from Japan of US$3.13 billion, which are offset by exports of US$5.63 billion. And, while oil, gas, aluminium, and fishing produce make up the bulk of the exports, the fact that SOHAR has signed deals that will increase auto throughput to 200,000 annually bodes well for the development of new revenue streams. Toyota, Daihatsu, and Nissan among already among the global manufacturers that are handled at the port through agreements with national businesses houses.

During the course of the two-day engagement, which will run from 23-24 October, discussions are expected to focus on exploring opportunities for increasing non-oil exports from Oman, while encouraging further inward investment through the major pillars outlined in the Sultanate’s Vision 2020 economic development plan. These pillars include its burgeoning port developments and a series of ambition transport projects.

“The visit shows the high esteem with which the government, businesses, and people of Oman hold their relationship with Japan, and the vision of building on shared ideals for the future,” Mr Lammers concluded.

SOHAR Port and Freezone is to join an elite group of ports offering LNG ship-to-ship services. That measures are now in place to begin issuing licenses to STS service providers equipped to handle LNG, came as an historic announcement at the 2014 Singapore International Bunkering Conference (SIBCON).

With 125 years’ experience between them, Fendercare and SPT will be offered the opportunity to provide this pioneering service after requesting permission to begin operations. SOHAR Executive Commercial Manager Edwin Lammers revealed there are also plans to establish LNG bunkering facilities in SOHAR in years to come.

“We are delighted to announce that we have put all of the necessary licensing structures in place to be able to start LNG ship-to-ship services in SOHAR. Around the world there are currently only a few ports that are able to offer this service, among them Port of Rotterdam and Singapore,” Mr. Lammers explained.

“This will be the first phase of our project, and we will move quickly in issuing the new licenses and getting things up and running. The second phase will involve installing LNG bunkering services for vessels calling at SOHAR Port,” he continued.

The news comes just a few months ahead of the International Maritime Organisation’s deadline for cargo ships passing through so-called ‘Emissions Control Areas’ to drastically reduce the level of sulphur oxide in fuel supplies to just 0.1%. This has prompted an almost immediate worldwide investigation into potential LNG fuelling options.

“While the industry continues to explore safe and commercially viable options for reducing SOX levels in conventional fuels, many of the world’s biggest shipping lines are looking to bypass costly upgrades in favour of moving directly to LNG. We’ve anticipated this trend and expect the industry to develop fast,” said Lammers.

SOHAR Port and Freezone has launched its first Environmental Management Programmes in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs. The five-day programme will see 10 MECA employees collaborate with the logistical hub’s Environmental Unit over the coming days, in a bid to strengthen ties with the government authority and share knowledge and experiences that will be vital in ensuring that Oman’s and SOHAR’s economic growth are aligned with the highest international environmental standards.







Despite having one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world – 0.17% – Oman has signalled its intention to ensure growth does not come at the expense of its rich natural ecosystems and biodiversity, and the new programme reflects a desire to increase understanding and cooperation in pursuit of what Executive Commercial Manager Edwin Lammers says is a commitment and responsibility that is shared by SOHAR.



“Growing within the carrying capacity of the local environment is a fundamental part of our business model and we take the potential impact of increased productivity on carbon emissions and climate change very seriously. In 2013, for example, we became the first port in the Middle East to introduce a reward scheme for ships that qualify under the Environmental Ship Index’s clean ship system,” said Mr. Lammers.



“Worldwide there are around 1,700 ships with a valid ESI score and our scheme means clean vessels calling at the Port are able to claim a rebate on their duties based on their Environmental Ship Index score. We were also the first in the Middle East and one of an elite group of 30 ports and harbours worldwide to have entered the Green Award Scheme, which encourages ships and ship-owners to embrace environmentally-friendly operations. Over 200 ships – mainly dry bulk and 20,000 DWT ships – are Green Award certified.”



In addition to bringing SOHAR’s Environment Unit and government representatives together, the initiative sought to identify ways to engage customers and investors seeking to use SOHAR as a gateway to booming Gulf economies. With the port and freezone bracing for further growth, the arrival of new investment and infrastructure, mean instilling environmental principles across the supply chain are of equal importance.



“Global supply chains are coming under intense scrutiny throughout the world, and as we continue to grow over the coming years, there is no doubt that we will have to work together to maintain traceability within the growing number of countries, industries, and the customers that we interact with,” said Mr. Lammers.



“Our credentials speak for themselves; together with investments totalling US$21 billion, over a decade of double-digit growth, and exceptional customer service, our environmental record was one of the main reasons we were awarded the title of 2013 Port Authority by Seatrade ME. We are also fortunate to be able to draw on expertise at Port of Rotterdam, one of the most environmentally-friendly ports in the world.”

Andre Toet, CEO, SOHAR Port and Freezone will be speaking at Blue Economy, Blue Growth, a conference organized by European Union and Oman’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) to explore collaborative maritime opportunities with Europe.

SOHAR Port and Freezone’s main independent supplier of bunkering services has expanded its in port refuelling operations for ships calling at the Omani port, with the addition of a 6,000 Mt barge to its fleet. Omanoil Matrix Marine Services LLC, a joint venture between Germany’s Matrix Marine Holding and Oman Oil, has also announced plans to offer ex-pipe fuel deliveries to the port’s main liquid bulk terminal.

As part of the new service a 500 cubic metre gasoil barge will extend the company’s refuelling reach to all areas of the port, increasing efficiency and streamlining ship movements within the port. Existing services, which include providing ships with industry standard RMG 380 and marine gas oil fuels, will be streamlined, and SOHAR Executive Commercial Manager Edwin Lammers has welcomed the news, as the port continues to align its US$21 billion marine infrastructure with that of Muscat’s 40-year old Port Sultan Qaboos.



“MXO are one of the leading providers of refuelling services and have built a global network of operations in Houston, Singapore, India, and Oman. The addition of intermediate fuel oil and gasoil barges to their fleet will give us a tremendous boost and we are naturally delighted they have chosen to do so.”



Having established operations at SOHAR in 2010, MXO’s international team have developed a strong track record when it comes to providing high-quality products and reliable services to customers in the Gulf. And, after more than 12 years in the region, a spokesperson for MXO said that it plans to extend operations at SOHAR even further. This will include ex-pipe fuel deliveries that will be provided through an exclusive 43,000cbm storage agreement with the Port’s liquid bulk terminal, managed by Oiltanking Odfjell.

“By focusing on customers’ needs and market dynamics, we offer high-quality products and reliable services. Our sister organisation Matrix Marine Fuels L.P. has been offering bunker services for over 12 years and we fully intend to continue growing, especially at SOHAR,” a spokesperson for MXO said.

Matrix Marine Holding is a subsidiary of Mabanaft, the trading division of Marquard & Bahls, in Hamburg. Meanwhile, MXO is the sole physical supplier of fuel oil to ships calling at SOHAR Port and Freezone.

Executive Commercial Manager Edwin Lammers has said that the development of a freight rail terminal at SOHAR will be vital in accelerating national growth and ensuring that Oman remains competitive in global markets. His remarks came in an engaging speech delivered at the Rail Projects GCC Exhibition & Summit 2014, in which he said ongoing expansion and growth make SOHAR an obvious choice for a new terminal.

“This is an exciting time for the Middle East rail industry, and even more so here in Oman. Around US$250 billion has been committed to building a 67,000 kilometre network in the Gulf, and work has also begun on the first phase of Oman’s 2,244 kilometre freight and passenger infrastructure,” Mr. Lammers remarked."

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“As one of the world’s largest port development sites and the cornerstone of Oman’s global trade ambitions, we have seen steady growth in the demand for distribution and freight services. Connecting SOHAR to rail networks therefore becomes an obvious choice from a customer service perspective, and will allow us to capitalise on rising trade volumes and drive down the cost of doing business in Oman,” he said.

Having sustained double-digit growth for more than a decade following the establishment of a joint venture with world top 10 port – Port of Rotterdam 2002, Mr. Lammers spoke of the need for efficient rail services and highlighted the unique potential to harness global expertise on offer at Europe’s leading logistics hub.

“SOHAR has grown at a tremendous rate, and we owe much of that success to the vision of the government in Oman. We have also benefitted from access to global best practices in Rotterdam, which have guided our progress. I am confident that this relationship will prove valuable once more, as Oman seeks to tap into a global rail freight industry that was valued at around US$210 billion only last year,” Mr. Lammers said.

“More than 250 freight trains start and finish in Rotterdam every week and are expanding the port’s reach, creating new cargo flows and revenue streams. But a modern rail network takes more than the physical infrastructure and must be accompanied by customer-focused and efficient rail services and well thought out coordination planning. This is where experience will be most important in the Gulf,” he concluded.

SOHAR’s presence at the Summit comes as it applies the finishing touches to the relocation of commercial traffic from Muscat – which will see the number of containers passing through the port more than double. Two-hundred thousand tonnes of freight cargo and 70,000 cars will also make the move from the capital, and Mr. Lammers discussed the wider benefits of rail transport for local roads and the environment.

“Beyond the economic value of being able to transport great volumes at quicker and more reliable speeds, rail transportation has the additional benefit of reducing road traffic and pressure on the environment.”

SOHAR Freezone Chief Executive Officer Jamal Aziz has declared SOHAR to be the most important link in Oman’s commercial logistics industry and a ‘vital contributor’ to the diversification and globalisation of the economy. The CEO’s comments come following a remarkable period of growth over the past six months, and just weeks before the much-anticipated relocation of all commercial traffic from Muscat to SOHAR.

“In just six months we have expanded almost every aspect of our operations, including the US$130 million relocation and expansion of the Oman International Container Terminal and a US$2.5 million investment to connect infrastructure that has cut turnaround times at Oiltanking Odfjell’s oil and gas storage facilities.”

“Cargo volumes continue to grow at a rate beyond the 50 million tonnes per year that we have witnessed in recent years, and we are also seeing growth in industries beyond those that were originally set up when SOHAR was launched as a joint venture with the Port of Rotterdam back in 2002,” Mr. Aziz explained.

“As such, SOHAR is not only at the forefront of the global shipping industry, it is vital to Oman’s future.”

As part of the company’s mid-year review, Mr. Aziz highlighted plans for a national food reserve and dedicated agricultural terminal, as well as air and rail links, as an indication of the bright future that lies ahead. He also reflected on how a deal with one of Oman’s largest business houses, Saud Bahwan, will see SOHAR’s automotive cluster grow to 200,000 cars annually – bringing global manufacturers Lexus, Kia, Ford, Toyota, and Daihatsu to the region. Nissan and BMW are already represented at SOHAR by Suhail Bahwan.

Having witnessed sustained interest in SOHAR’s core business areas – petrochemicals, metals, and logistics, including a US$60 million agreement with a UK-led consortium to build the largest rare earth metals plant of its kind outside of China, Mr. Aziz emphasised the sustainability that is driving growth and creating jobs.

“The tremendous work that has gone into growing the business during the first half of this year is no flash in the pan. There is a very clear strategy to what we are trying to achieve, and all of the markets that we are entering are growing with exceptional speed. This will be important as we consolidate progress over the course of the next decade. It will also become the cornerstone of job creation at SOHAR,” he said.

Meanwhile, in light of SOHAR’s commitment to building a sustainable logistical hub that will assist the Oman achieve its Vision 2020 objective of globalising the economy, Mr. Aziz concluded by discussing how an international marketing campaign launched in May has seen great strides taken towards this goal.

“Our ability to reach global audiences has been greatly accelerated by the global marketing campaign that we launched in May. This campaign has already achieved a number of milestones following the launch of a new brand identity for SOHAR Port and Freezone back in January. Nearly 40,000 unique visitors viewed nearly 100,000 web pages in the first two months of the campaign, and the Port’s social media accounts have also seen over 150,000 YouTube hits and nearly 10,000 twitter followers in the same period.”

The international campaign is one of a number of initiatives aimed at engaging key markets in developed and emerging economies, including the US, EU, China, India, Brazil, Japan, Korea, and the Middle East.

Oman International Container Terminal were crowned champions of the 2014 SOHAR Cup – SOHAR Port and Freezone’s annual cup competition, following an enthralling match against their port rivals and fellow SOHAR tenants Orpic. The final game was held just over a week after the 2014 FIFA World Cup concluded in Brazil, with this year’s tournament intended to promote teamwork and healthy living.

The opening exchanges of the match had all the hallmarks of a final, with both teams being made to work hard for possession and neither team looking to give anything away. The game was eventually won 2-0 by the terminal operator outfit.

After the game, the trophy was presented by H.E. Al Sheikh Dr. Said Al Harthy, Wali of Liwa, who was also responsible for giving runner-up prizes to the Orpic team. After the cup presentation, SOHAR Freezone CEO Jamal Aziz handed out awards to the best outfield player, best goalkeeper, and top scorer of the cup, and both leaders were full of praise when discussing the spirit with which both teams entered the match.

“I would like to commend all of the teams that have taken part in the 2014 SOHAR Cup, and especially the finalists. If tonight’s game is any indication of the way each of you approaches your work, I am certain many positive things lie ahead for SOHAR Port and Freezone,” His Excellency remarked.

“In many ways, football is the lifeblood of Oman. It brings us together, and I am grateful to have been invited to come and watch what has been a thoroughly entertaining encounter. Without a doubt, our employees and those of our tenants are our greatest assets on and off the field,” added Mr. Aziz.

A record 32 teams entered this year’s cup competition, representing tenants and contractors plying their trade at SOHAR Port and Freezone, and SOHAR Port CEO Andre Toet outlined his hope for the cup.

“Football is a great way to keep fit and promote healthy competition. This approach has helped us sustain double-digit growth as a business, but the true message of the cup runs much deeper and I hope all of the players will carry a message of healthy living and daily exercise into their communities,” said Mr. Toet.

• $40,000 Ramadan aid programme shows company’s compassionate side


• H.E Sheikh Said bin Humaid al-Harthy launches month-long aid campaign


• Thousands of individuals from poor households to benefit from programme

SOHAR Port and Freezone has made poverty reduction its top priority during Ramadan, following the launch of a month-long US$40,000 aid programme that will offer support to hundreds of poor households.

The programme was launched by H.E Sheikh Said bin Humaid al-Harthy, and will see hundreds of vouchers distributed among local families as part of the company’s commitment to serving the local community.

Families were selected based on income, with recommendations provided by the Liwa Wali’s Office and the North Al Batinah Directorate. And with an average of 7 people per household, the campaign is expected to relieve the pressures faced by over 2,600 individuals – allowing them to focus on Ramadan.

The first of the vouchers were presented by H.E. Sheikh Said bin Humaid al-Harthy, Wali of Liwa, in the presence of SOHAR CEO duo Andre Toet and Jamal Aziz, who each shared their thoughts on the campaign.

“Helping those in need is one of the core principles of Islam and is closely aligned with the values that have shaped our approach towards creating a sustainable and responsible business at SOHAR,” said Mr. Aziz.

“By providing aid vouchers to local families we aim to reduce the financial pressures faced by families living close to the poverty line, and allow them to focus more fully on their spiritual pursuits,” he added.

These sentiments were echoed by SOHAR CEO, Andre Toet, who spoke of his own personal observations of Ramadan, after having made Oman his family home for the last two years.

“Ramadan has always come across as an incredibly uplifting time and I am delighted we can offer poor families some support during this period,” said Mr. Toet.

“US$40,000 is a significant commitment, and demonstrates how much we believe not only in creating jobs, but in finding other ways to support the community,” he remarked.

Oman was regarded as the ‘most-improved country in the last 40 years’ back in 2010 – ahead of China, Nepal, Indonesia, and neighbouring Saudi Arabia – and as an integral part of the government’s plans to diversify the economy, SOHAR has brought 1,000 per cent growth to the Al Batinah region in just five years.

As such, the SOHAR management team recommitted themselves to creating jobs at the launch ceremony, with over 30,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities created so far, and over 400 more on the horizon at two of the port’s chief terminal operators: C. Steinweg and the Oman International Container Terminal.

SOHAR Port and Freezone has today ushered in the third edition of its distinguished Summer Educational Programme following a signing ceremony held last week. The programme has already trained hundreds of youth in Sohar and the nearby province of Liwa, and this year’s initiative is set to offer 300 more high-achieving students the chance to enhance their English and IT skills.

Beginning later this year, the programme has been put together in a bid to offer a glimmer of hope for Omani youth, many of whom face challenging times when it comes to finding employment. It is also intended to provide surrounding communities with the skills and income required to improve their livelihoods and meet the development priorities outlined in the government’s Economic Vision 2020. This includes a commitment to ‘to develop and upgrade Oman’s human resources in order to [progress in line] with technological progress and attain international competitiveness‘.

Speaking after the ceremony, SOHAR CEO Andre Toet spoke of his personal commitment to the incoming cohort, and expressed his delight at how the new programme is shaping up.

“I know I speak on behalf of everyone at SOHAR when I say that we are delighted to welcome another exceptional group of young individuals into the SOHAR family. The Summer Educational Programme is a great way for us to create sustainable employment opportunities for the next generation of leaders, as we add to the 8,800 jobs that have been created here,” said Mr. Toet.

In addition to focusing on the social and economic benefits that will come as a result of developing an English and IT literate workforce in the region, it was announced that 430 jobs are to be created at two of the port’s terminal operators, C. Steinweg Oman and the Oman International Container Terminal as a direct result of the shift of all commercial cargo from Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat.

With increasing interest in SOHAR coming from countries in the Far East and Latin America, SOHAR Freezone CEO Jamal Aziz spoke of the opportunities that will emerge as the port expands further, and encouraged the incoming students to learn how they too can share in SOHAR’s success.

“SOHAR is growing and as we do, we will create jobs. The SOHAR Summer Educational Programme is a fantastic opportunity to align our ambitions for the future of SOHAR Port and Freezone with market trends and up-and-coming young talent. I cannot think of a better match,” he remarked.

SOHAR Port and Freezone has announced its intention to strengthen economic interests with global shipping powerhouse, Singapore. Speaking at the SCM Logistics and Manufacturing World 2014 event, Asia’s largest supply chain and manufacturing event, Commercial Executive Edwin Lammers also touched on plans to establish SOHAR as the gateway to a new trade corridor that will leverage on the port’s unique location to connect Asia, the Gulf, and the US, through Oman.







“Singapore handles the second largest container throughput in the world, so there is no shortage of volume. With SOHAR growing at 1,000 percent since the first cargo arrived in 2007, our ability to offer a modern, competitive, and customer-orientated route through which to do business with the US is almost unrivalled in the Gulf. We are also not too different in size,” joked Mr. Lammers.



Lower costs generated by container volumes that are projected to reach 1.5 million TEU, and SOHAR’s ability to provide access to the Gulf from outside the Strait of Hormuz, were highlighted as advantages by Mr. Lammers. Oman’s free trade agreements with the US and Singapore were also viewed as crucial in pursuit of an increased share of US$68 billion in US-Singapore trade.



“Not only are we within touching distance of 3.5 billion consumers, but Oman’s free trade agreements with the US mean we are in great shape to tap into this lucrative market,” Mr. Lammers added.







The Gulf is already Singapore’s seventh largest trade partner, and together with its reputation as a world-leader in handling global freight and logistics operations, SOHAR’s attendance at the SCM event provided a glimpse into the global strategy that is powering Oman’s premiere industrial hub. It also came at a time when ties economic between Oman and Singapore are particularly strong.



Oman’s readiness to engage in bilateral trade, for example, has recently drawn praise from officials visiting the Sultanate. Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs, and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law have both expressed their confidence in Oman’s ability to develop a vibrant and fully diversified gateway between East and West – sentiments mirrored by Mr. Lammers.



“We are ready. It is that simple. Many of the world’s biggest shipping companies such as Maersk Line, UASC, CMA, and APL know it, and already operate from our world-class terminals,” he said.



SOHAR, which is only 15 times smaller than Singapore, has attracted investments totalling US$21, while multi-million dollar deals have seen sustained growth in its petrochemical, automotive, logistics, and metal manufacturing clusters. An agriculture cluster is currently in the pipeline.

SOHAR Port and Freezone has sent its clearest message yet that it is ready for the transfer of commercial traffic from Muscat, at an agents meeting designed to showcase how the port’s new world-class terminals will facilitate the move when it takes place later this year. It also provided an opportunity to highlight the global players that have been encouraged to set up operations by 1,000 percent growth.

The meeting was held with less than two months to go before an estimated 300,000 TEU in container traffic, 200,000 freight tonnes of general cargo, and 70,000 cars, make the 200 kilometre migration north from the capital.

SOHARs ambitious vision and growing reputation as a front-runner in global shipping and logistics have already attracted the likes of Hutchison Whampoa, Oiltanking Odfjell, and C. Steinweg to the Port.

The first ever 10,000 TEU container ship to arrive into SOHAR docked last month. Meanwhile a US$130 million expansion of the container terminal is expected to attract further investment in what has quickly become one of the world’s fastest growing port development sites.

As an integral component in SOHAR’s global strategy, the adjacent Freezone has seen an impressive response to the first phase of plans to attract businesses to the region. In all, more than 80 percent of the 500 hectares on offer have been leased, putting plans for the industrial hub three years ahead of schedule.

The meeting was attended by H.E. Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications; SOHAR Port CEO, Andre Toet, Captain Rashid Jamil, CEO of the Oman International Container Terminal, and Arie Koppelaar, CEO of C. Steinweg Oman. A series of presentations were followed by a questions and answers session and a tour through the port to visit the expanded terminal capacity of both terminals.

At the event, SOHAR Freezone CEO, Jamal Aziz remarked: “SOHAR is growing fast, but we are also growing in a way that is sustainable over a longer period of time. This is indeed a new chapter in our history, and I’m sure it won’t be the last“.

“We remain fully committed to assisting Muscat as it embarks on its new era too,” he added.

SOHAR Port CEO Andre Toet has revealed that relocating commercial shipping lines from Muscat will add just 50 additional vehicles per hour to existing road users in Sohar when the move is completed in less than two months. He has also said that since many ships are already using the port, increases will be gradual.







Mr. Toet’s comments follow remarks made by Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Said Bin Saleh Al Kiyumi, concerning the ‘good work’ that is being done by the Royal Oman Police, and the need for further training and equipment in order to manage the increase in road freight traffic.



“We welcome any improvements in traffic management and recognise the importance of streamlining logistics for business efficiency, stimulating growth, and creating sustainable jobs for local families.



“That is why we are pleased to announce that, while road traffic will increase once Muscat’s commercial ships move to SOHAR, this will amount to just 50 additional vehicles per hour on local roads.



“This is only a small fraction of the 2,000 public and non-SOHAR related vehicles using the roads, so in this sense improving traffic flows should be about quality as much as it is about quantity,” Mr. Toet said.

The former Maersk Europe CEO’s comments echoed sentiments shared at an agents meeting designed to showcase how the port’s world-class terminals will accommodate the additional 300,000 TEU in container traffic, 200,000 freight tonnes of general cargo, and 70,000 cars, set to make the move from the capital.



SOHAR’s terminal operations already handle a remarkable cargo throughput of 50 million tonnes and are supported by some of the world’s leading freight, logistics, and storage companies. Two-thousand ships call at the port, and many more are serviced by companies while en route to a host of global destinations.



The move of commercial traffic to SOHAR is expected to reduce the pressure on Muscat’s congested roads, which Mr. Toet said will be equally vital as it primes itself for growth in tourism at Port Sultan Qaboos.



Meanwhile, the signing of contracts for 31 road projects worth 327 rials was also singled-out for praise.

SOHAR Freezone has today signed a lease agreement with a UK-led consortium that has the potential to drastically reduce the risks posed by commercial and residential fires, reducing losses incurred by businesses and providing safeguards for families and households in the process.

The development will see UK-based Tri-Star Resources, the Oman Investment Fund, and Castell Investments Ltd, work together to develop a robust network of operations capable of producing 20,000 tonnes of refined metal ingots. One of the materials they will produce is antimony trioxide, which is currently used as a flame retardant in a wide range of products, ranging from textiles and furniture to plastic covers designed to reduce the risks caused by car and aircraft engine fires.

Once operational, the plant would mean SOHAR would be home to one of the world’s biggest manufacturing facilities of its kind outside of China. Meanwhile, having taken up an initial offering of 22 hectares, partners under the new joint venture will have the option to develop a further 76 hectares that has been earmarked for a refractory gold sulphide treatment plant. As such, while the 125 jobs are to be created for Omani employees, the actual impact could be much larger.

Speaking at the ceremony, SOHAR Freezone CEO Jamal Aziz shared his excitement at the new deal.

“Having a major antimony manufacturing facility at SOHAR is significant for global, regional, and local economies. It is also good news for our business operations, and will put SOHAR on the map when it comes to metal processing as it adds further value to our ever-growing metals cluster.”

“The low environmental impact of the plant has been well received by local Ministries, meaning we can offer benefits to our customers without negatively impacting our surroundings,” he added.

Construction will commence in 2015, with Tri-Star Resources and the Oman Investment Fund each holding a 40 percent stake in the venture. Castell Investments will own the remaining interests.

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SOHAR Port and Freezone made a spectacular debut at Automechanika Dubai alongside a car dubbed by BBC Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson as “one of the world’s best”. Representatives from the Oman-based industrial hub lined up alongside the Ferrari 458 as part of a major drive to showcase the growing number of automotive companies utilising their high quality infrastructure and services as an accessible and convenient portal for both global and regional business.

SOHAR’s presence at the fair comes just months after a deal was announced that will see one of Oman’s largest business houses, Saud Bahwan, lease part of the Freezone for use as a pre-delivery inspection and service centre – for Toyota, Daihatsu, Lexus, Kia and Ford. The port is already home to businesses operating on behalf of Nissan, BMW, and Hyundai, and Freezone CEO Jamal Aziz was keen to draw comparisons between SOHAR’s streamlined dockside offering and the ‘perfect car’.



“When you buy a Ferrari you know exactly what you are getting – speed, precision, and world-beating quality. This is what we aspire to at SOHAR, and the fact we handle 200,000 vehicles a year and support global spare parts distribution tells me we must be getting something right,” said Mr. Aziz. “That something is our charge to reduce bumps in the road ahead for businesses,” he added.

The construction of new road, rail, and air infrastructures that will connect the Freezone with Saudi Arabia and UAE, mean SOHAR is well placed to take advantage of high growth in vehicle sales across the GCC region. According to analysts Frost & Sullivan the sale of cars is expected to record a CAGR of 6.0% for the period 2012-2017, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE offering the largest markets. Spare parts markets are expected to double by 2017, to US$13.46 billion.

With 24,000 trade visitors and buyers at last year’s event, it is hoped Automechanika Dubai 2014 will attract further investment into the Port and Freezone. So far, more than $21 billion has been pumped into creating a world-class facility, with SOHAR’s growing popularity contributing to lease agreements being signed for the first phase of the Freezone almost three years ahead of schedule.

In addition to its prime location and connectivity, access to abundant low-cost energy and utilities and the feeder network through the Port, have put SOHAR in the global spotlight. Automechanika Dubai has also developed a reputation as an unrivalled trade and networking event in the GCC region, and SOHAR Port CEO Andre Toet recognised its role in forging long-term partnerships.

“As a facilitator of trade and investment in the automotive industry, it doesn’t get much better than Automechanika,” he remarked. “We hope today’s event will act as a springboard and help us continue building strong partnerships that will better serve Oman’s economy and its people”.