The Sohar Port and Freezone and Hutchison Ports will explore the possibility of expanding the Port of Sohar and making it ready to receive mega-vessels.
In a statement, Hutchison Ports said it had signed a joint feasibility study that will look into the potential addition of a new container terminal at the Port.
The feasibility study will commence this year and will assess the social, environmental, logistical, in-country value and economic impacts of any future expansion. Moreover, it will provide a clear roadmap for future expansion to meet the needs of the growing local and regional economy.
Apart from enhancing the competitiveness of the Port at regional and global levels, especially in containers and cargo handling, it will further contribute towards the generation of more local job opportunities.
The Port is currently witnessing a growing occupancy rate and efforts should be enhanced to increase its capacity, to enable it to keep pace with future development.
The addition of new areas will increase the attractiveness of the Port and comprise the necessary infrastructure to attract important international shipping lines.
The successful implementation of the project is set to bring in sustainable economic and social benefits for the Sultanate as a whole, and in particular the Governorate of North Al Batinah.
