Hutch moves into Oman..

These include NYK, MOL, CMA CGM, PSA, HPH, Evergreen, Container Corporation of India, Larsen & Toubro and Gammon India. A contract is expected to be awarded in September or October.

The government of Oman is to enter into a joint venture with Hutchison Whampoa to build a new container terminal and dry bulk handling facility at the port of Sohar. Oman International Container Terminal, which is expected to commence operations at two berths in April 2006, will have as additional shareholders unnamed private Omani investors and Dutch company Steinweg Handelsveem. While Hutchison will oversee container handling, Steinweg will undertake dry bulk operations.