Muscat, JULY 26 - There is a need for an “organised regulator” to streamline the transport sector in Oman, which is “poorly organised”, said the truck operators at a meeting of transport owners.
Speaking to owners and managements of transport companies at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), Saeed al Kiyumi, Chairman of OCCI, said: “We are constantly listening to the demands and issues of transport companies and trying to liaise with the other sectors to find suitable solutions to these issues.”
“There are financial challenges and poor regulation of the transport sector. Solutions must not be based on rationale, not emotions,” he said.
The main complaints against trucks have been lack of safety and security steps caused by excess baggage, and lack of tyre safety.
Al Kiyumi said there are more than 10,000 transport companies handling goods and shipments across the Sultanate.
A total of 127,000 vehicles have registered with the Royal Oman Police (ROP), including 62,869 trucks, 11,327 tanks, 24,796 locomotives, 3,215 tippers and 25,149 trailers.
Muscat Governorate has the maximum number of transport companies (3,906), followed by North Batinah (2,105) and the interior (1,113).
According to the Ministry of Manpower, there are 11,000 active transport companies.
There are more than 2,600 registered trucks under the Sohar Port Management. The container company at Sohar Port receives 2,500 trucks during peak hours and 1,300-1,500 on an average.
The number of trucks that entered Port of Salalah between July 1 and 20 was 5,664. Fifty crushers in North Batinah carry 75,000 shipments every month in the wilayat.
Al Kiyumi said there are 1,748 industrial investment projects of different size and nature in industrial areas.
“Oman added 108 industrial projects last year, taking the total number of projects to 1,748, thanks to the Ministry of Commerce
and Industry, OCCI and Oman Customs.”
Last year, the industrial zones spread across governorates exported 87,000 shipments every month.
KABEER YOUSUF
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