OMAN has launched work on the Salalah Port expansion programme, following the recent award of a RO55-million ($142 million) contract to Hani Archirodon Construction to expand the cargo terminal and liquid jetty at the port.
The expansion will increase the port’s cargo handling capacity to 20 million tonnes per year (tpy) of dry bulk commodities from the current six-and-a-half million tpy and over six million tonnes of liquid products.

The sultanate’s Ministry of Transport and Communications in April awarded the project, which is to be completed in 19 months.

The expansion plan involves the construction of 1,266 m (four berths) of concrete block quays at the leeward side of the existing breakwater with 18 m of draft. The scope of work also includes dredging of the harbour basin, reclamation, roads and pavement and buildings.

The general cargo terminal will meet the growing demands for increased economic activity in Dhofar region. Main commodities driving the growth of the general cargo business are exports of locally available limestone, gypsum, rock phosphate and cement as well as plastics and other bulk commodities; and liquid cargoes such as methanol, ammonia, ethylene, EDC (ethylene dichlorides) and fuels.

The port will be a world-class general cargo terminal to complement its container terminal. This facility, along with the strategic location that Salalah enjoys and a well-functioning free zone, will go on to create the ‘Salalah hub’ that aims to serve local, regional, and global business interests.