Sohar Port and Freezone have for the first time handled a 10,000-TEU ship at the newly expanded Oman International Container Terminal (OICT), after installing new post-panamax cranes.
OICT has agreed with the port authorities to expand the 70-hectare container terminal's capacity from 800,000 TEU to 1.5 million TEU. The yard space will also be double from 28 hectares, and seven post-panamax quay cranes and 14 rubber-tyre gantry cranes will be installed.
The investment totals US$130 million, and state of the art facilities and technology and port depth will mean the current maximum vessel size will increase from 6,500 TEU to 10,000 TEU.
Denmark's world leading Maersk Line has been the first to embrace the move of commercial activity from the port of Muscat to Sohar.
Sohar Port and Freezone chief executives Andre Toet and Jamal Aziz were both eager to announce that they are committed towards creating growth in container traffic, reported constructionweekonline.com
They believe the port is in a prime position to attract shipping lines to channel containers destined for North Oman through Sohar port rather than via Jebel Ali or other neighbouring ports.
Mr Aziz added, "From humble beginnings we've now developed into one of the fastest growing port and free trade zones in the world and now eagerly look to the future to continue our incredible success story."
OICT has agreed with the port authorities to expand the 70-hectare container terminal's capacity from 800,000 TEU to 1.5 million TEU. The yard space will also be double from 28 hectares, and seven post-panamax quay cranes and 14 rubber-tyre gantry cranes will be installed.
The investment totals US$130 million, and state of the art facilities and technology and port depth will mean the current maximum vessel size will increase from 6,500 TEU to 10,000 TEU.
Denmark's world leading Maersk Line has been the first to embrace the move of commercial activity from the port of Muscat to Sohar.
Sohar Port and Freezone chief executives Andre Toet and Jamal Aziz were both eager to announce that they are committed towards creating growth in container traffic, reported constructionweekonline.com
They believe the port is in a prime position to attract shipping lines to channel containers destined for North Oman through Sohar port rather than via Jebel Ali or other neighbouring ports.
Mr Aziz added, "From humble beginnings we've now developed into one of the fastest growing port and free trade zones in the world and now eagerly look to the future to continue our incredible success story."