The Middle East's newest container terminal, the Oman International Container Terminal (OICT), is preparing to receive its first vessel just ahead of the facility's international debut at the Seatrade Middle East Maritime (SMEM) exhibition and conference to be held in Dubai from December 4-6. OICT is part of Oman's US$12 billion Sohar Port development project, which seeks to transform the port into a thriving maritime and industrial hub serving Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Muscat. "The terminal is ready for business with a capacity of 800,000 TEU, and the capability to go up to six million if required," said Jan Meijer, CEO of port operator Sohar Industrial Port Company (SIPC).
Sohar's favourable geographical position combined with the 'landlord port' concept are expected to help the new container terminal, which will be one of the world's largest, gain the attention of visitors at the SMEM expo.
The landlord port model has been designed to maximise the involvement of the private sector in port operations, such as stevedoring and warehousing, to enable the terminal operator, SIPC, to concentrate fully on issuing rules and regulations and establishing a framework for safe, green and secure port operations.
Sohar's favourable geographical position combined with the 'landlord port' concept are expected to help the new container terminal, which will be one of the world's largest, gain the attention of visitors at the SMEM expo.
The landlord port model has been designed to maximise the involvement of the private sector in port operations, such as stevedoring and warehousing, to enable the terminal operator, SIPC, to concentrate fully on issuing rules and regulations and establishing a framework for safe, green and secure port operations.