MUSCAT: The Omani ports highlighted their activities and efficiency during the year 2023 as one of the most important ports in the region. In 2023, represented by Port Sultan Qaboos, Salalah Port, Sohar Port, Khasab Port, Shinas Port and Suwaiq Port, handled more than 93.2 million tonnes compared to about 91.8 million tonnes handled in 2022, achieving an increase in the volume of general, liquid, and bulk cargoes by 1.5 per cent in 2023.
Omani ports also witnessed another increase in the number of berthed ships in 2023. These ports received about 11,005 ships in 2023 compared to 10,553 ships in 2022, with an increase of 4.3 per cent.
Regarding cruise ships, the ports of Sultan Qaboos, Salalah, and Khasab saw a significant increase in the number of passengers through cruise ships. This achievement reflects the efforts made by the government in collaboration with its tourism partners to increase the movement of cruise ships to Oman.
The tourism sector is one of the tourism styles that contribute to attracting tourists from all over the world. The indicators recorded the arrival of 229 cruise ships carrying more than 599,000 passengers in 2023 compared to around 87 cruise ships carrying over 205,000 tourists in 2022, with an increase of over 190 per cent in the number of passengers.
In reflection of the role played by ports in maintaining the smooth flow of goods and leading the economic development trend and diversifying sources of income, many efforts have been made over the years to maintain the operational and logistical performance of Omani ports and increase their capacity.
In this regard, several projects were completed in some ports during 2023. An agreement was signed for the management, operation, and rehabilitation of Shinas Port with the Quad Marine Solutions Company on August 9, 2023. The company took over the management and operation of the port starting from November 2023. During the first year, the company will provide detailed studies and a new masterplan for the port, with negotiations for a long-term management, operation, and development agreement to take place in the second year.
For the establishment of new ports contributing to strengthening the logistics sector of the Sultanate of Oman, the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology received the Dhalkut Fish Port and offered it for investment through public tenders for local and international private sectors to manage, operate, and develop it for commercial activation. During the first quarter of 2023, the ministry also tendered a mining pier project in Manji for investment through a public tender after coordination with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals.
In order to activate business activities at Port Sultan Qaboos and make use of existing infrastructure in line with future directions in the port's waterfront project, the ministry launched four bids to provide some maritime services at the port, and negotiations are currently ongoing with qualified companies.
To keep up with the growing demand within existing ports and make these ports competitive environments attractive to major global shipping lines, work is ongoing to expand the facilities of these ports and develop the infrastructure. Salalah Port Services Company is working on upgrading the infrastructure of the container terminal in addition to providing new container handling equipment. This upgrade will increase the capacity of the container terminal and the new equipment will enhance Salalah Port's reception and handling of the latest generation of container ships, with the project expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2025.
To implement strategic plans aimed at enhancing the logistics sector sustainably and improving the administrative and operational efficiency of Omani ports, the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology continues to work in cooperation with port operators and all strategic partners to develop these ports, increase their capacity, and consequently increase the volume of exports and imports through maritime outlets along the Omani coast. — ONA
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