Oman - Limited LCA
2.1.2 Oman Port of Sohar

Maritime Database information on Port of Sohar

Port Overview

The Port of Sohar, located north of Muscat had a booming growth since its opening in 2002. It is composed of three main sectors: one for petroleum, one for industrial cargoes and steel and one for general cargo and containers. The port is complimented by a free zone for industrial development. The port is situated in the Barka region, which is the main logistics hub. All containerized services previously handled by Muscat port have now been transferred to Sohar port. Muscat has now became a port for cruise ships, while 90% of domestic cargo is imported via Sohar port.

The port is mainly handling bulk cargo, steel, cement and liquids on a special terminal for a Brazilian company. It is also strategically located to open to new business with Iran. Construction works of a food terminal, a railway and silos are on-going. The port will be connected to the GCC railway network, and the connection with Abu Dhabi will be complete by 2018-19.

The container terminal is operational and currently handling 11.000 TEUs a year, with 11 shipping lines calling on a weekly basis and the capacity to receive large container ships. The port is also going through a huge construction for other business and large investments both from the Oman Government, as well as the private sector. Between 4 to5 hectares of space is available at the free zone. A sugar refinery plant in under construction, together with silos for flour mills, which will be available within 16 to 18 months. Finally, warehouses and maritime services from husbandry services to bunkers are also available.

The Port of Sohar is an equal, joint venture with the Port of Rotterdam.

Sohar Port and Freezone Website

Port Location and Contacts

Country

Oman

Province or District

Liwa

Port's Complete Name

Sohar Port

Latitude

24.33333

Longitude

56.75

Managing Company or Port Authority (If more than one operator, break down by area of operation)

Sohar Industrial Port Co

Management Contact Person

Andre Toet, Chief Executive Officer

Port Picture

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

4.4 Oman Port and Waterways Company Contact List

 

Port Performance

Port Performance 2015  

Q1

Dry Bulk

FRT

5,302,483

Break Bulk(*)

FRT

419,465

Liquid Bulk

FRT

4,355,326

Subtotal

FRT

10,077,274

Container

Units

85,365

Container

TEUS

123,533

Container(***)

FRT

1,193,329

Roro(**)

Units

 n/a

Total

FRT

11,270,603

SOHAR Port Vessel Calls

Dry Bulk

 

74

Break Bulk(*)

 

59

Liquid Bulk

 

196

Containers(*)

 

103

Anchorage Services

 

30

Roro(**)

   n/a

Vessel Calls

 

462

 Port Performance 2015  

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Dry Bulk

FRT

4,838,754

5,399,749

6,407,469

8,993,756

Break Bulk(*)

FRT

270,028

251,492

404,419

410,758

Liquid Bulk

FRT

3,025,418

3,734,802

3,577,320

4,527,520

Subtotal

FRT

8,134,200

9,386,043

10,389,208

13,932,034

Container

Units

35,275

39,320

63,101

93,743

Container

TEUS

47,621

55,378

93,348

134,316

Container(***)

FRT

460,019

534,951

901,742

1,297,493

Roro(**)

Units

 n/a  n/a  n/a

122,496

Total

FRT

8,594,219

9,920,994

11,290,950

15,229,527

SOHAR Port Vessel Calls

Dry Bulk

n/a 

63

67

84

101

Break Bulk(*)

n/a 

52

49

53

69

Liquid Bulk

n/a 

181

197

200

220

Containers(*)

n/a 

73

84

75

80

Anchorage Services

n/a 

15

35

35

24

Roro(**)

n/a   n/a  n/a  n/a

265

Vessel Calls

 n/a

384

432

447

494

Port Performance 2013  

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Dry Bulk

FRT

6,715,558

5,316,072

6,200,161

7,419,207

Break Bulk(*)

FRT

264,103

216,937

227,849

177,717

Liquid Bulk

FRT

3,988,822

4,353,672

4,557,802

3,916,012

Subtotal

FRT

10,968,483

9,886,681

10,985,812

11,512,936

Container

Units

35,670

40,978

32,391

34,486

Container

TEUS

55,661

61,232

45,556

47,369

Container(***)

FRT

537,685

591,501

440,071

457,585

Roro(**)

Units

n/a  n/a n/a 

61,635

Total

FRT

11,506,168

10,478,182

11,425,883

11,970,521

SOHAR Port Vessel Calls

Dry Bulk

 

81

80

83

85

Break Bulk(*)

 

63

55

44

40

Liquid Bulk

 

206

205

247

225

Containers(*)

 

87

88

72

64

Anchorage Services

 

15

29

63

54

Roro(**)

       

78

Vessel Calls

 

452

457

509

468

 Port Performance 2012  

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Dry Bulk

FRT

3,712,862

6,774,428

7,617,884

8,009,429

Break Bulk(*)

FRT

190,299

153,367

265,655

339,440

Liquid Bulk

FRT

3,610,499

3,603,244

3,649,402

4,015,562

Subtotal

FRT

7,513,660

10,531,039

11,532,941

12,364,431

Container

Units

33,063

44,054

28,911

30,303

Container

TEUS

49,785

58,200

42,821

48,012

Container(***)

FRT

480,921

562,210

413,648

463,796

Roro(**)

Units

     

73,548

Total

FRT

7,994,581

11,093,249

11,946,589

12,828,227

SOHAR Port Vessel Calls

Dry Bulk

 

69

79

86

86

Break Bulk(*)

 

41

45

59

73

Liquid Bulk

 

208

226

236

216

Containers(*)

 

60

68

75

97

Anchorage Services

 

23

47

47

9

Roro(**)

   n/a  n/a  n/a

68

Vessel Calls

 

401

465

503

481

* Project/General cargo: The Figures have been included in break bulk.
** These indicative figures are for the respective year. Please note that these values will change over time and can vary.

Seasonal Constraints

Tides

  • Tidal streams NNW and SSE
  • Low Astronomical Tide 0,0 metre CD
  • Mean Low Low Water +0.9 metre CD
  • Mean High Low Water +1.5 metre CD
  • Mean Sea Level +2.0 metre CD
  • Mean Low High Water +2.5 metre CD
  • Mean High High Water +2.9 metre CD
  • High Astronomical Tide +3.4 metre CD
  • Currents are variable and light; mostly 0.25 ti 0.75 knots.

Weather

Summers are generally hot (35-45 degrees Celsius) accompanied by high humidity. Winters are cooler (20-27 degrees Celsius).

Winds are between NE and SW, light to moderate.

All vessels moored in the port or berthing shall take such precautions in severe weather as may be necessary and reasonable, and as may be ordered by the harbour master.

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

Relevant tariffs / rates for Sohar Port and Freezone

Port dues shall be paid in US Dollar (US$) or Omani Rial (OMR) by the agents of the vessel. Payment of the port dues must take place before the departure of the vessel or the agents of the vessel must have given a bank guarantee for the payable port dues. Payment of the port dues will take place in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman at

Oman Arab Bank, Ruwi Main Branch
Account number 3101-007970-500

Please mention the invoice number (vessel call number) when payment is made.

Project Cargo Surcharge

The project cargo surcharge is US$1.00 per freight ton (w/M) on project cargoes destined for projects inside SOHAR Port and Freezone concession area.

The surcharge will be levied via the shipping agent. Project Cargoes are defined as all material and equipment that will be used for the construction of projects inside SOHAR Port and Freezone concession area. Pipes and related equipment for pipelines outside SOHAR Port and Freezone concession area will not be affected by the surcharge. Cargoes for receivers/shippers outside SOHAR Port and Freezone concession area will also not be affected by the surcharge.

Procedure

Shipping agents should adhere to the following:

  • Submit a certified copy of the vessels’ cargo manifest to SIPC Sohar Office marking it for the attention of the harbour master. This should be done at least 72 hours prior to ETA.
  • A letter from the agent on the company letterhead should accompany the cargo manifest. This should state the freight tons and full consignee/receiver details.
  • If the agent is in doubt whether the cargo is subject to a surcharge, then the commercial manager of SOHAR Port and Freezone should be contacted in writing only at least 72 hours prior to ETA. Full details of the consignee and/or notifying party must be provided.
  • All invoices are payable prior to the vessel’s departure, but a deposit arrangement can be discussed.

Structure of Costs

SOHAR Port and Freezone is managed according to the landlord port model.

Visiting vessels should consider the following:

  • Marine services (tugs, pilots) are provided by Svitzer and these are charged by SIPC.
  • AMNAS (Arabian Maritime and Navigational Aids Services CO LLC) levies for navigational aids.
  • Linesmen are charged by SIPC on behalf of Al Batina International.
  • Every stevedoring company charges separately for its activities.
  • Every vessel is obliged to pay AMNAS (Arabian Maritime and Navigational Aids Services Co LLC) a fee for navigational aids in the territorial waters of Oman (Royal Decree 81/2003; Ministerial Circulation No 218/2003). These will be levied in the first port of call in Oman.

General Cargo Handling Berths

Specific Berth Information

OOT

Steinweg

OICT

Sohar Alum

L&T

Cargo Type

Liquid Bulk

General

Containers

Liquid/Solid

_

Berth Number/Name

Jetty C1,A, AA1-2

4,5,6

7,8

9

Harmool 1-2

Depth

16,0 m

16,0 m

16,0 m

16 m

10 m

Length

C1-268 m
A- m
AA- 550m 262

700 m

500 m

301 m

300

Bollard Type

T- Head

T- Head

T- Head

T- Head

T- Head

Bollard Distance

C1- 29m
A-13m
AA-28.8m

25 m

25 m

21.6

Rear-10
Front-20

Bollard SWL

C1-30T
A-30T
AA-150T

100T

100T

120T

Rear-125
Front-150

Nature of Seabed

Coarse Sand

Coarse Sand

Coarse Sand

Coarse Sand

Coarse Sand

Tidal Difference LAT-HAT

3.4 m

3.4 m

3.4 m

3.4 m

3.4 m

Berth Restrictions

         

Length Max/Min

C1-268/61
A- 260/60
AA1-220/96
AA2- 220/96

-

-

-

-

Width (Max)

C1- 43 m
A- 38 m
AA 1/2- 35 m

-

-

-

-

DWT Max/Min

C1-107,000/1,000
A-110,00/1,000
AA1-70,000/4,000
AA2-70,000/4,000

-

-

-

-

Transverse Approach Speed

0.15 m/sec

-

-

-

-

Berthing Angle

C1/A - 6 deg
AA1- 10 deg
AA2- 10 deg

-

-

-

-

Customs Guidance

Sohar Port and Freezone port operating procedures

 

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