Sohar port has achieved a milestone with the arrival of the first 10,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) ship at the newly expanded Oman International Container Terminal (OICT).

 

“This is the first time in the history of these ports (Muscat and Sohar) to receive a 10,000 TEU vessel and that is an indication of the good progress that Oman is making in developing ports,” Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, was quoted as saying in the Times of Oman report. 

 

The OICT has installed new post-Panamax cranes at the newly built container terminal (terminal C), said the report.

 

"The event shows that Sohar port is ready for the transition (of handling Muscat port's volume). It is ready in terms of infrastructure, handling procedures and volume," added the minister, referring to the plans for shifting all commercial activities of the Muscat port to Sohar by August this year. 

 

The OICT has also signed the development agreement early last year for expansion of a 70-hectare container terminal. The development, which is now implemented in a phased manner, will increase capacity from 800,000 TEUs to 1.5 million TEUs and will see yard space more than double from 28 hectares, installation of seven post-Panamax quay cranes and 14 rubber-tyre gantry cranes. 

 

The investment in the new expansion which totals to $130 million, and the facilities, new technology and port depth will mean the current maximum vessel size will increase from 6,500 TEU to in excess of 10,000 TEU.