SOHAR Port and Freezone, a leading maritime and logistics hub in Oman, has made significant strides in the last five months of 2024, solidifying its position as a key player in the global chemicals market and advancing sustainability initiatives.

SOHAR Port, a deep-sea port in Oman, is a key hub for the Gulf and Indian subcontinent economies. It handles over 2.2 billion consumers and is equipped with deep-water jetties for handling the world's largest ships.

The port is part of a 50:50 joint venture between the Government of Oman and the Port of Rotterdam. The SOHAR Freezone, a 4,500-hectare development, has attracted over $27 billion in investments. The first phase is almost fully leased out, and 26 companies are benefiting from low-cost energy, skilled workforce, and access to land.

The freezone offers options for leasing pre-built warehouses and commercial offices, foreign ownership, and tax exemptions. The port is expected to continue expanding, both physically and in terms of its landmass and client base. The new SOHAR Port South expansion is also underway, adding 250-hectares of land and providing additional cargo capacity through deep-water berths.

MAK SOHAR CHEMICALS INVESTMENT

SOHAR Port and Freezone has signed a land lease agreement with MAK Sohar Chemical Industries (FZC), representing a substantial $11 million investment in the SOHAR Freezone. This project involves establishing a state-of-the-art production facility for engineering polymers, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), thermoplastic olefins (TPO), special masterbatches, and compounds. The facility will have an advanced urea inhibition unit with specific coating and packaging capabilities, sourcing raw materials from Oman, the region, and Europe to produce these specialised products for domestic and international markets in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. With an annual production capacity of 25,000 tons, this investment will significantly impact the global chemicals market.

SOHAR'S FIRST LNG BUNKERING PROJECT

SOHAR Port and Freezone has taken a significant step towards sustainability by signing a sub-usufruct agreement with Marsa Liquefied Natural Gas, a joint venture between Total Energies EP Oman Development and OQ, for the development of an LNG liquefaction plant. This transformative project, with a total investment of $1.6 billion and an expansive land area of 44.5 hectares, will establish SOHAR Port as the first LNG bunkering hub in the region. Notably, the project will be powered entirely by solar electricity, highlighting SOHAR's commitment to renewable energy innovation and reducing the industry's carbon footprint.

LALAN MIDDLE EAST'S MEDICAL GLOVE PACKING PLANT

SOHAR Freezone witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of Lalan's Middle East $5 million Medical Glove Packing Plant, which will include an ETO sterilisation unit on 5,000 square meters of land. Once operational, the plant will produce 60 million premium disposable gloves annually, catering to the local, regional, and international healthcare markets. This milestone underscores Lalan's dedication to delivering superior products and sustainable growth in the global healthcare industry.

LEAD ACID BATTERY RECYCLING PLANT

SOHAR Port and Freezone has signed a land lease agreement with Starsun Sohar (FZC) to establish a recycling plant dedicated to the sustainable management of lead-acid batteries in SOHAR Freezone. With a total investment of $3 million and an area of 7,000 square meters, the plant will be equipped with cutting-edge technologies to recover valuable materials from locally used batteries. The project aims to boost the recycling industry and align with the Sultanate of Oman's circular economy principles, positioning SOHAR as a leader in sustainable waste management.

BUNKER FUEL SUPPLY AND MASS FLOW METER IMPLEMENTATION

SOHAR Port and Freezone has taken significant steps to enhance its bunker fuel supply operations and align with global best practices. The port has implemented the use of Mass Flow Meters (MFM) for fuel supplies, following the example of leading ports like Singapore and Rotterdam. This strategic move ensures operational efficiency, market competitiveness, and transparency in fuel delivery, in line with the ISO 22192 international standards.

SOHAR Port and Freezone has also signed an MoU agreement with TFG Marine, a leading bunker fuel supplier, to establish an international bunker fuel supply operation within the port. This partnership will leverage SOHAR's strategic location, with anchorage areas located within 4 to 10 nautical miles offshore and depths ranging from 30 to 60 meters, to serve a growing fleet of vessels, including those managed by TFG Marine's joint venture owners.

Furthermore, SOHAR Port and Freezone has signed an agreement with Metcore International, a renowned marine solutions provider, to deliver technical expertise for the integration and testing of Mass Flow Metering (MFM) Systems on board bunker tankers. This collaboration underscores SOHAR's commitment to bunkering transparency and innovation, aligning with global industry standards.

HEALTH AND SAFETY RECOGNITION

SOHAR Port and Freezone has received two prestigious awards from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) in recognition of its outstanding health and safety achievements. The port has been awarded the RoSPA's Best New International Entry Award and the RoSPA's Gold Sector Award for its exemplary health and safety performance from January 2023 to December 2023. To further strengthen its commitment to safety, SOHAR Port and Freezone has signed an MOU agreement with RoSPA to collaborate on occupational safety training and the exchange of expertise, solidifying its position as a benchmark in the industry.

SOHAR Port and Freezone's recent agreements and investments showcase its remarkable progress in driving the region's industrial and energy landscape. From the establishment of a state-of-the-art chemicals production facility to the development of the first LNG bunkering project in the Middle East, SOHAR is positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable solutions.