The new general cargo and liquid bulk terminal became fully operational at Port of Salalah (PoS) with its official opening on Monday. The new deep water terminal has additional handling capacity of 20 million tonnes of dry cargo and six million tonnes of liquid bulk cargo.
Built at a cost of RO 55 million, the terminal is 1,266-metre long, 83-metre wide and 18-metre deep. It has capacity to handle wide range of ships including public, commercial and tourist vessels and ships carrying liquid material. This additional facility at the Port of Salalah is a boost to the upcoming industries in Salalah as the terminal is fitted with facilities that can transport goods from the free zone to the Port of Salalah.
The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of HH Sayyid Tareq bin Shabib al Said in the presence of Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, other ministers, under-secretaries and host of dignitaries from Dhofar Governorate.
Said bin Hamdoun al Harthy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications for Ports and Maritime Affairs, called the event a milestone in the wake of Oman government’s focus on the development of port affairs and raising the performance of ports.
“Ports play vital role in a country’s economy. They help boost businesses and industries and we look forward to doing much more in this sector. Due to its strategic location, Port of Salalah stores many opportunities for businesses in Salalah,” he said.
Al Harthy said the expansion of port facilities in Salalah matters a lot due to expansion of Salalah Free Zone and its policies, future policies of which are based on the Port of Salalah. “We are delighted to see the completion of work which had started on May 19, 2012. It would serve as an additional benefit for the PoS for import and export purposes.”
The 1,266 metre-long quay facility is located on the leeward side of southern breakwater at the Port and provides two 320 metre-long General Cargo berths, and two 300 metre-long Liquid Bulk berths.
Commenting on the achievement, David Gledhill, CEO of Port of Salalah, said, “The new facility is able to handle a wide range of vessels, ranging from naval ships, to vessels handling limestone, cement, livestock, project cargo and  other dry bulk commodities as Salalah continues to grow as a key centre of trade and logistics for the region.”
The Project also includes support structures such as power Substations, a fire pump house, a prayer hall, a canteen and administrative offices.
Liquid bulk cargos are an increasingly important commodity for Omani industry and trade; “A dedicated pipe corridor links the new liquid bulk terminal directly with one of our customers operating within the port, and in the future, an extension will connect with the Salalah Free Zone where new customers are setting up their plants,’’ said Port of Salalah Deputy CEO Ahmed Akaak.
Local shipping companies see the new General Cargo Terminal as an opportunity to raise volume of trade, as Salalah is fast emerging as a hub of sea-air cargo movement.
“Besides movement of bulk liquid, mineral and grain commodities, the new facility is huge opportunity for manufacturers who are looking at Salalah as an investment destination,” said Sanjay Prajapati, representative of a shipping company in Salalah.