Oman terminal opens ahead of schedule

OICT is a joint venture between Hutchison Port Holdings Group, the Government of Oman, Steinweg of the Netherlands and three established Omani investors. Phase 1 of the project includes a quay length of 285 m with a depth alongside of 16 m. It is equipped with four post-Panamax quay cranes, eight rubber-tyred gantry cranes and two reachstackers, supported by a fleet of 15 tractors and 33 trailers.

Phase 2 is progressing rapidly and is also expected to begin operations well ahead of schedule in February 2007. When complete, OICT will have a total quay length of 520 m and a total yard area of 28 ha. Facilities will include a gatehouse complex, an engineering workshop, a customs inspection area and an administrative building.

Strategically located in the Port of Sohar outside the Strait of Hormuz, OICT allows vessels to avoid the higher premiums once inside Gulf waters and is also able to handle the latest generation of mega-vessels. Its CEO James Frater said: “OICT has adopted the HPH Group’s award-winning Next Generation Terminal Management System (nGen) to ensure the highest level of efficiency. The system will enable OICT to rapidly establish itself as the premier container terminal in the Gulf region.”