MUSCAT: Salalah Port in the Governorate of Dhofar added a new main shipping line with the launch of New Falcon Services of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to directly link with Asia and Middle East. The first journey of this service anchored at Salalah Port yesterday. Ningbo vessel, which sailed from Colombo Port in Sri Lanka, was loaded with 7849 TEU.
The new service launched by MSC in March 2015 includes a fleet of 8 vessels; each with a capacity of 8000 TEU that will connect directly China, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Indian on one hand and the Sultanate and the GCC countries on the other hand. David Gledhill, CEO of Salalah Port said that the new service ensures faster shipping service between Far East and the Sultanate and meets the growing needs of the market in Salalah.
It will also open new opportunities to serve the vast interior regions. He added that the new line will develop trade with other economies in the Middle East region. On his part, Ahmed Ali Akaak, Deputy CEO of Salalah Port said, “We are pleased to receive MSC vessels at Salalah Port, which reflect the trust of the world shipping companies in Salalah Port’s ability to meet their logistic needs and serve individuals and companies in the Gulf and the Arabian Sea region.”
AMP company, which owns 30 per cent of Salalah Port, operates the port. The Port handled 2.6 million TEU in 2015, in addition to 12.5 million tons of cargo. The expansion of the terminal increased the capacity to 20 million tons of cargo and 6 million tons of liquid goods. The Swiss-based MSC, is the second biggest shipping company in the world in terms of capacity and fleet. The company’s vessels dock at 315 ports along more than 200 trade routes around the world.
