Sohar Port throughput climbs to 77m tonnes

Cargo throughput at Sohar Port and Freezone rose 11.3 per cent to 77 million tonnes in 2022, port authorities announced yesterday.

Revealing its 2022 results, the port and free zone recorded impressive growth in all key areas. Compared to 2021, Dry Bulk and Liquid Bulk increased by 9.6 per cent and 25 per cent respectively. Vessel calls enjoyed a slight increase to 3,192 while containers remained steady at 725,000 TEU.

Also in 2022, the port and free zone attracted $366 million in new investments, taking the aggregate to $27 billion. Total investment within the Freezone grew by 17 per cent. Land occupancy grew 3.5 per cent to 77 per cent, with 14 new contracts awarded during the year. At year end, 52 countries are now represented within the freezone, an increase of three from 2021 as SOHAR Freezone cements its position as an engine of economic diversification. In addition, Q1 2023, two land lease agreements were signed in the Freezone, which highlights its competitiveness and ability to attract more investors.

Emile Hoogsteden, CEO of SOHAR Port and Freezone, said, “Progress in key areas throughout SOHAR Port and Freezone is extremely positive and proof that the initiatives we have put in place are delivering results. Our long-term goal is for SOHAR to become an integrated industrial, logistics and port complex that hosts complete value chains in manufacturing, food production and energy. By exploring investment and attracting key anchor tenants in diverse and new sectors, including green and renewable energy as well as a recycling cluster, we will make the Port and Freezone more efficient and environmentally fit-for-the-future as well as a regional hub for many of Oman’s major national industries”.

Commenting on the performance of SOHAR Freezone, Omar Mahmood Al Mahrizi, CEO of SOHAR Freezone, Deputy CEO SOHAR Port said, “The solid growth in all performance indicators shows that the business ecosystem created in SOHAR fosters trust and confidence, which is reflected in the numerous expansion projects by current tenants. Our commitment for creating a business-friendly environment has been instrumental by the launch of different innovative solution and today we witnessed a new platform “GeoHub”, which integrates seamlessly with the existing systems to create a centralised data portal for all users”.

GeoHub Application; a digital platform that includes many services- but not limited to- create a drawing directly from the site by using easy and accessible tools, especially designed to meet the requirements of all users. They can also receive updated data related to utilities, lands, vessel calls, air quality system, as well as the ongoing projects.