MUSCAT: A new deep-water general cargo and liquid bulk terminal was opened by the Port of Salalah in another step to a make it a major Arab Gulf regional gateway port and trans-shipment hub on the Arabian Sea.
The new terminal adds 20 million tonnes of dry cargo and six million tonnes of liquid bulk cargo annual handling capacity. 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, said a press release issued by the Port of Salalah.
“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,” said David Gledhill, chief executive officer of Port of Salalah.
The new terminal was built by the Government of Oman at a cost of OMR55 million.
The quay wall is 1,266 metres in length, 84 metres wide, and is dredged to a depth of 18 metres. The project also includes support structures such as power substations, a fire pump house, a prayer hall, a canteen, and administrative offices. Liquid bulk cargoes 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.
The Port of Salalah, which is operated by APM Terminals as part of the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network, and in which APM Terminals holds a 30 per cent share, handled 3.03 million tonnes equivalent units (TEUs) in 2014, along with 10.3 million tonnes of bulk cargo.
Salalah was tied for fifth place in the JOC Group Productivity Study for 2014 in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, of the with 96 crane moves per hour with a vessel alongside.
