Maritime Database Information on Port of Salalah  

Port Overview

The Port of Salalah is partly owned and managed by APM Terminals. It is operating since 1998 and is established as a leading transhipment hub, handling over 3 million TEUs per year. The port is strategically positioned close to the free zone and industrial park and offers both land, sea and air connectivity.
Given the close proximity and short sailing time to Yemen, the Port of Salalah offers a strategic location for an additional staging area for the Yemen crisis.
Arguably, Salalah can also be considered as a transit hub for the Global Commodity Management Facility (GCMF, former FPF) for the planning zone in the sub-region.

Port of Salalah Website

Port Picture

Port Of Salalah Map

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

Major shipping lines are operating their services on a weekly basis into the Red Sea and regions of East / West Africa and Asia. Feeder operator services from MSC, CMA-CGM, and Maersk, Hyundai shipping line and APL are available and some (MSC, CMA-CGM for now) offer services to Hodeida and Mukala directly or via KAP with short distances 4-5 days transit time. 

4.4 Oman Port and Waterways Company Contact List

Port Performance

Berthing Specifications

Pilotage:

Pilotage is compulsory and pilots may board from launch or tug and are available 24 hours. Pilots can be provided at 30 minutes’ notice.

Fairway & Approach Channel:

Port of Salalah is entered from NE between East Breakwater and the Container Terminal. Vessels approaching from the Fair way pass between a pair of light buoys (Port and Starboard) and then between the head of East Breakwater and a light buoy 0.2nm NW.

Tidal Range & Flow:

Tidal range averages 1.0m to 2.0m however; during the monsoon season (June to August) waves can be up to 4.0 at max.

Dock Water Density

Density: 1.025.

* MPD: Maximum Permissible Draught

• Berths 1 to 6 are container berths in line; therefore, larger vessels can occupy part of a second berth if necessary.

• Berths 21 to 23 are General Cargo berths in line and larger vessels can occupy part of second berth if necessary.

• Berth 24 is a General Cargo berth. Berths 25 to 29 are berths for small general cargo vessels, Dhows, and fishing Launches.

• Berths 30 & 31 are main deep draft multi-user berths.

Anchorage:

Three Anchorage areas are designated for Vessels calling at the Port of Salalah:

Port Handling Equipment

Is the port equipment managed by the government or privately? Private (APM Terminals)

• 16 and 18 meters harbor depth
• 18.5 - 20 meters approach channel
• 800 meters outer turning basin
• Vessel tracking system
• 11 Speed loaders
• 9 Fork Lifts
• 25 Super post panamax cranes
• 68 Rubber tyre gantries
• 177 Tractors and 187 trailers
• 4 Tugs
• 4 Reach Stackers
• 6 Empty Handler
• NAVIS yard and vessel planning system
• Radio data terminals
• VHF radios

Container Freight Station 

In order to meet customer requirements at a modern container terminal the Port of Salalah established a CFS (Container Freight Station) in 2002. It plays a vital role in adding value to its existing services offered at the port.

 The Port of Salalah manages and operates a Container Freight Stations (CFS) within the port boundaries providing grouping services of Less than Container Loads (LCL) for exporters as well as de-consolidation services especially for importers requiring distribution.

 CFS is split into Outbound and Inbound cargo.

Container Facilities 

With major shipping lines opting for mega-size vessels, the importance of transhipment ports cannot be underestimated – especially in the current economic scenario where economies of scale deliver efficiencies and savings in significance.

Transhipment container traffic is the mainstay of our business. The Container Terminal at Port of Salalah has attracted double digit growth year-on-year during 2003-2010. Underpinning this success has been a combination of location advantages, congestion-free deep-water berths, competitive service levels and consistently high productivity.

Expansion CT Berths 7, 8, 9

Given the strong growth trends being witnessed at the Container Terminal, a major expansion could be in the offing sooner than later. An expansion of the Container Terminal as well as Terminal-2 received the government’s formal approval in 2009. Upon implementation, the upgrade will add three new berths of a total quay length of 1,350 metres. The expansion will boost the hub's quay length to 3,555 metres and crank up the port's annual container handling capacity to nine million TEU, further paving the way for Salalah's elevation into the ranks of the world's largest transhipment hubs.

Custom Clearance Formalities

Please check the following website: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/markets/export_refunds/forms/om.pdf

Terminal Information

An expansion project for a grain terminal with complete silos designed for around 100.000 tons of wheat storage is in progress.
There is no shortage of equipment or bagging possibilities. Trucks are widely available from the nearby industrial zone and free zone, where suppliers of veg oil, pasta and wheat flour are operating. Jumbo bags are available and can be purchased immediately with 4-5 days delivery upon request.
There are two bulk and general cargo terminals, both for bulk and break bulk cargo. The port can accommodate food in warehouse facilities inside the port and extra facilities outside the port. If requested, Mobile Storage Units (MSUs) can be temporarily set-up for WFP operations free of charge.
Liquids held at the free zone and facilities have the potential to create a liquids hub at port of Salalah in the future. Investments are also ongoing in a new tank storage facilities of total capacity 6 million MT up to current capacity of one million MT. The oil terminal is capable of accommodating vessels up to 35,000 DWT and tankers with 10m maximum arrival draught.
A ramp for a landing craft with a 1:8 gradient, 45m in length, and 20m width at 3.0m depth is available.

SALALAH FREE ZONE AND INDUSTRIAL ESTATE

The free zone and the industrial estate is ready to assist WFP with space if necessary and for any assistance needed with new suppliers.
Different types of food suppliers can provide tomato paste, canned fish, bottled water, veg oils and pasta. Further, all types of medical equipment are available.

Warehousing in Salalah

The mission did not carry out an exhaustive warehouse capacity assessment in Salalah but, as an indication, visited a warehousing complex at Halabaazar where 13,000 sqm are available and are most currently empty; this capacity is divided between warehouses ranging from 1200sqm to 1500 sqm in size. Premises are clean and spacious, ventilated and isolated. AC and forklifts can be arranged on demand. Prices are negotiable and can offer long term contracts 3-4 years.

Halaabazar warehouses (partial view), Salalah 01 Jun 2015

Halaabazar warehouse, Salalah 01 Jun 2015

Halaabazar warehouses (partial view), Salalah 01 Jun 2015

Port Security

Salalah Port serves as a hub for the anti-piracy task force. It is also steadfastly adhere to international maritime safety and cargo security charters, notably the CSI and ISPC codes. Salalah Port has also been rated a US government's Secure Freight Initiative Charter port and Pilot site.