Salalah
Salalah Port in Dhofar Governorate has completed its development plan to increase the container terminal’s capacity to 6.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually, with an investment cost exceeding 115 million Omani Rials.
The expansion project at Salalah Port, operated by APM Terminals, includes upgrading all six existing berths and expanding the container yard. The terminal’s capacity has increased from 4.5 million TEUs to 6.5 million TEUs annually, enhancing Salalah Port’s position as a key hub in the region for accessing markets in the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, and East Africa.
APM Terminals has also invested in the expansion project at the container terminal in Salalah by constructing a new road, a new substation, upgrading the electrical network, and expanding the cooling plugs to cover 2,000 refrigerated containers.
In this context, Mahna bin Mousa Baqir, Director General of the General Directorate of Ports at the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, emphasized the importance of this expansion in enhancing Oman’s economic objectives through collaboration with Salalah Port. He noted the ongoing planning efforts to improve the port’s strategic location and infrastructure to keep pace with the increasing maritime traffic, providing a competitive advantage for the port.
For his part, Stephen Yugalinjam, CEO of Salalah Port, stated that the expansion project at the container terminal provides opportunities for local and regional growth and job creation. He indicated that the port’s capacity will be increased thanks to new equipment, including 10 new Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes capable of handling ultra-large vessels with a width of 26 containers, in addition to 12 hybrid Rubber-Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes, two forklifts, and six empty container handlers, along with 30 trucks and trailers to join the ground equipment fleet.
The CEO explained that the arrival of the first vessel from the Gemini network at Salalah Port on February 18, 2025, represents the beginning of a new chapter in the network’s operations, highlighting Salalah’s strategic importance in this global initiative. He pointed out that the port continues to provide world-class operations and plays a pivotal role in facilitating global trade and connectivity, ensuring that the port remains at the forefront of global shipping operations.
According to the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) for 2024, Salalah Port has been ranked as the second most efficient container port in the world for the third consecutive year. The upgrades, along with the ongoing implementation of LEAN practices in management, are expected to further enhance efficiency levels and provide optimal turnaround times for vessels within the port in the port industry.
