Kim Fejfer, CEO of APMT, has noted plans for further infrastructure investment and the expansion of free trade zones, as well as regulatory reforms as key factors for the continuing growth of Oman as a gateway and commercial centre for the Persian Gulf Region.
PTI previously reported that APMT Mumbai had set a new record for India's ports, achieving a TEU throughput of 2.01 million.
Fejfer said: “Oman has a good opportunity to improve its business environment in terms of ease of doing business, developing integrated transport chains that can even better link road, rail and air transport through a world-class port, capable of accepting the largest vessels in the world and to further develop world-class industrial parks and free zones near these maritime gateways.
“By simplifying the business regulatory environment – Oman will attract even more entrepreneurs and capital that will reduce barriers to cross border trade.”
The Salalah Free Zone plans additional investments totalling US$15 billion by 2028, with chemical and material processing, manufacturing and assembly, and logistics and distribution in specific target-market areas.
A 20-year port master plan is now in effect for the development of a Salalah Hub, which includes direct rail connections to commercial and population centres within the Gulf Cooperation Council.
An expansion of the port's annual general cargo handling capacity to around 18.1 million tonnes of dry bulk commodities and more than 5.4 million tonnes of liquid products is already underway.
The Port of Salalah, which is managed by APM Terminals, who also hold a 30% share, is one of the most productive container facilities in the Middle East, handling three million TEU in 2014.