Operational Activity at Omani Ports

The Director General of Ports added that Omani ports witnessed a significant increase in 2024 in the volume of general, bulk, and liquid cargo handled, reaching over 137 million tons, a 15% increase compared to the 119 million tons handled in 2023. Sohar Port recorded a remarkable 72% growth in bulk cargo handling, while both Salalah and Suwaiq ports also saw a 10% rise in the volume of goods handled. Duqm Port achieved a sharp 152% increase in the volume of all types of cargo (general, liquid, and bulk), reflecting the development of operational processes and growing demand for the port’s integrated services.

Muhanna bin Moosa bin Baqer also pointed out that the number of vessels docking at Omani ports increased in 2024, exceeding 12,000 vessels, with a growth rate of 1.5%. Additionally, more than 4.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) were handled at Salalah and Sohar ports. Salalah Port handled approximately 3.3 million TEUs, while Sohar Port handled over 942,000 TEUs.

In terms of the role of ports in promoting marine tourism, Sultan Qaboos Port, Khasab Port, and Salalah Port collectively received around 114 cruise ships in 2024, carrying over 416,000 tourists. Moreover, these ports also received more than 4 million heads of livestock during the same year.

Expansion and Upgrading of Ports and Services

The Director General of Ports noted that, in 2024, the Ministry signed a concession agreement with Asyad Ports Company for the development, management, and operation of Suwaiq Port. This agreement aims to expand and upgrade the port to accommodate large vessels and handle all types of cargo to meet increasing demand.

He also confirmed the recent completion of the development and expansion project of the container terminal at Salalah Port, increasing its handling capacity to 6.5 million TEUs. The project included upgrading the terminal’s existing berths and expanding storage yards, which will help accommodate the growing volume of maritime traffic and provide a competitive advantage for the port. This will enable it to receive the world’s largest container ships, which exceed 366 meters in length and can carry more than 14,500 containers, ensuring increased productivity and faster clearance times.

Muhanna bin Moosa bin Baqer added that one of the latest initiatives by the Ministry to enhance the economic and logistical contribution of the ports sector is the signing of a framework investment agreement for the operation, management, and development of ship services and crew change operations at Sultan Qaboos Port. This step will introduce new commercial activities to this vital port in addition to its core function as a cruise port. These commercial services will transform it into a hub for attracting both commercial and cruise vessels. He confirmed that Sultan Qaboos Port is undergoing rapid development in collaboration with Asyad Group and Omran Company.