MUSCAT: Oman’s Sohar Port and Freezone is working “at full steam” to ensure the industrial port and adjoining freezone are integrated with the national and GCC rail networks, a senior executive has said.
Edwin Lammers, executive commercial manager, said the planned introduction of rail corridors along the gateway’s main cargo terminals will give Sohar Port a significant advantage over other well-established regional ports, which have relatively congested cargo terminals that do not allow any large-scale incorporation of rail infrastructure.
Lammers told Oman Daily Observer: “We believe on-dock rail facilities will give us a major advantage over other main ports around us. “Towards this end, we are trying to determine how we can connect our terminals to the rail network, thereby enabling the transportation of containers, cars, dry bulk cargo, and other such freight, by rail. “The ultimate goal is to bring the rail network as close to the terminals as possible, to eliminate the need for intermediate logistics which have the potential to ratchet up freight costs,” Lammers added.
Sohar Port has been working with Oman Rail to ensure its gateway is suitably equipped for rail operations. “We are in regular discussion with Oman Rail to ensure that the alignment they have in mind allows for, among other things, a smooth interface between the port, freezone and other stakeholders in the area, the required rights of way are in place,” Lammers said.
