The Port of Salalah has signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Oman to build and operate three more deepwater container berths.
The Indian Ocean port, which has recently opened two new 18-meter-deep berths, said the expansion project would give it nine berths totaling 3,555 meters in length and an annual handling capacity of 9 million TEUs by 2012. The first of the three new berths is expected for completion in the first quarter of 2011.
"The signing of this MOU is a clear indication of the governments' intent to be at the forefront of regional port development, and will enable the Port of Salalah to keep up with the growing demands and allow us to meet our customer's expectations as a modern and efficient terminal," said Gary Lemke, the port's chief executive officer.
The Indian Ocean port, a joint venture between the government of Oman, A.P. Moller-Maersk and other Omani investors, last year handled roughly 2.6 million TEUs and 2.8 million tons of bulk and general cargo at its terminals.
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