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 |
700 m |
500 m |
301 m |
300 |
Bollard Type |
T- Head |
T- Head |
T- Head |
T- Head |
T- Head |
Bollard Distance |
C1- 29m |
25 m |
25 m |
21.6 |
Rear-10 |
Bollard SWL |
C1-30T |
100T |
100T |
120T |
Rear-125 |
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 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Width (Max) |
C1- 43 m |
- |
- |
- |
- |
DWT Max/Min |
C1-107,000/1,000 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Transverse Approach Speed |
0.15 m/sec |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Berthing Angle |
C1/A - 6 deg |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Customs Guidance
Sohar Port and Freezone port operating procedures