Muscat port concession extended

The Omani Ministry of Transport and Communications is currently implementing the second stage of converting the Muscat’s Port Sultan Qaboos (PSQ) into a tourism port by Royal Directive.

Its operator, Port Service Corporation (PSC), the Omani port management company, has just been granted an interim one year extension from 31 December 2012 on the concession agreement for operation and management and it reportedly still wants a role for itself post conversion.

PSC has been operating the facility for 36 years, which is a hub, not only for the Arabian Gulf but also the Indian Sub-continent and markets in East and South Africa. But the conversion will see container terminal operations ultimately transferring to the Port of Sohar.

The company reportedly has other larger future plans too. The Oman Daily Observer says that it is moving towards a restructure to set itself up as a holding company – the strategy behind this is to be able to offer its operation and management services to other ports across the Sultanate.

PSQ is just one port undergoing development at the moment though. The ministry is also implementing an additional quay at the general cargo and bulk material terminal at Salalah Port and ultimately has plans to construct three new container terminals there.

At Sohar Industrial port, the ministry recently awarded the tender for completing the southern wave barrier.