SOHAR Port and Freezone has signed an
agreement with C. Steinweg Oman LLC (CSO) which will see the General Cargo
Terminal Operator expand its storage area with 27 hectares (270,000 m2), in
order to anticipate further growth, amongst others to facilitate the growing
demand for minerals. The expansion agreement represents a further investment in
SOHAR Port and Freezone by the C. Steinweg Group and further strengthens
SOHAR’s position as the leading export facility for minerals.
The signing ceremony was held at SOHAR Port and Freezone and
attended by C. Steinweg Group CEO, Ulf Boll; C. Steinweg – Handelsveem BV CEO,
Peter Pesselse; C. Steinweg Middle East & India, Managing Director Christophe van Loon and CSO CEO Hendrik van Mierop, as well as
SOHAR Port CEO, Mark Geilenkirchen and senior management. The new storage facilities are expected to be completed in four months
and fully operational in Q4 2022.
Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of SOHAR Port and Freezone,
said, “This
agreement adds to our capacity to meet growing demand for minerals across the
region and solidifies SOHAR’s position as a major global cargo terminal. In
2021, SOHAR exported more than 37 mln tons of dry bulk cargo. With demand
continuing to soar, C. Steinweg Oman and SOHAR will be in a prime position to
serve the needs of the market, as well as Oman’s ongoing diversification and
the development of mega projects across the region. The continuous expansion of
SOHAR Port and Freezone has created new opportunities for more throughput
within the 27-hectare site, along with more employment and additional investment
in the complex as we progress towards becoming the leading industrial hub in the region.”
Hendrik van Mierop, CEO of C. Steinweg Oman LLC,
added, “Adding 27 hectares of additional storage space to our facility at SOHAR
Port and Freezone shows the growth potential of Oman, while serving more and
more markets around the world. Situated between key markets in the East and the
West, SOHAR offers a unique strategic advantage which is of global significance
to the entire C. Steinweg Group. We are very pleased to expand our premises
within SOHAR Port and build on the success we have enjoyed since handling the
very first vessel to visit SOHAR Port in 2004. At C. Steinweg Oman, we have
continuously focused on increasing our efficiency, by investing in equipment,
training our people and improving processes. This has always resulted in
cost-effective logistics solutions for our clients. Since our start, we have
grown alongside SOHAR Port and Freezone, expanding in berth capacity, storage
space and handling equipment. Adding
this additional storage capacity, allows us to facilitate further growth for the
clients, as well as for our company, for SOHAR Port and for Oman in general.
For
more information about the opportunities and advantages available at SOHAR Port
and Freezone, please visit soharportandfreezone.com.
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