Overview

SOHAR Port and Freezone is a deep-sea Port and Freezone in the Sultanate of Oman, managed by SOHAR Industrial Port Company (SIPC), a 50:50 joint venture between the Port of Rotterdam and the Sultanate of Oman.

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Welcome to the Gateway to the Gulf

Situated midway between Dubai and Muscat, SOHAR saw its first vessel berth in 2004 and the adjacent Freezone was added in 2010. 2018 saw over 3,434 vessels call in SOHAR and the port now handles in excess of one million metric tons of sea cargo each week. With multinational investments to-date of over US26$ billion, it is one of the world`s fastest-growing port and free zone developments and lies at the center of global trade routes between Asia and Europe. The port was originally built around three industrial clusters for metals, petrochemicals, and logistics. Recently a fourth cluster was added with the launch of SOHAR Food Zone. The Food Zone offers the region’s first dedicated agro bulk terminal with integrated facilities for food manufacturing, packaging, and food logistics.

SOHAR provides unequaled access to the fast diversifying economies of the Gulf States while avoiding the additional costs of passing through the congested Strait of Hormuz. The existing road network and airport and the future rail system provide direct connectivity to all GCC countries. Equipped with deep-water jetties capable of handling the world’s largest ships, SOHAR has leading global partners that operate its container, dry bulk, liquid, gas and general cargo terminals, including Hutchison Ports Oman, Vale Oman, Oiltanking & Co Terminals, and C. Steinweg Oman.

The Freezone is a 4,500 - hectare development that, together with the Port, has attracted global investments of over US$27 Billion. As per Royal Decree No. (105/ 2020), the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) was established as the official regulator of the nation’s special economic zones and free zones, including SOHAR Freezone.


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As one of the fastest-growing port and free zone developments anywhere in the world, SOHAR has an abundance of space that is readily available and filling up fast. The very first phase of the Freezone is almost fully leased out, three years ahead of schedule, and some 26 companies are already reaping the benefits of unrivaled access to land, low-cost energy, and a skilled workforce.

SOHAR Freezone has options for leasing pre-built warehouses and commercial offices, as well as %100 foreign ownership, %0 import or re-export duties,%0 personal income tax, corporate tax holidays of up to 25 years, and a dedicated One-Stop-Shop for all relevant permits and clearances. Oman offers one of the most stable and business-friendly climates in the Middle East and SOHAR Freezone has become a destination of choice for regional and international investors looking for an ideal Middle East hub for trade, commerce, and industry

Looking ahead, SOHAR will continue to expand, both physically in landmass, as well as its clusters and client base. Due to foreign investment within Phase 1, SOHAR Freezone sees more expansion and growth plans underway in the upcoming Phase 2. The free zone offers a compelling value proposition with unique incentives for investors to operate their companies easily and flexibly, in an environment where businesses can prosper.

The new SOHAR Port South expansion, which will ultimately add 250-hectares to the land area, is well underway. In addition to the land area, SOHAR Port South will also provide additional cargo capacity in the form of new deep-water berths. SOHAR Port South Package I has already added 50-hectares to the land area and is fully completed.

As with any other industrial zone, SOHAR continues to experience a rapidly rising energy demand, which is mirrored by the domestic households throughout the Sultanate. As a responsible corporate citizen, and also to ensure that energy costs are kept at a minimum, SOHAR recently joined forces with Shell to co-develop solar power projects at the free zone. Tapping into Oman’s solar potential, the Freezone has dedicated some 600-hectares of land for the solar PV projects. Each of these projects is 25 MW PV power generation capacity, which will create long-lasting economic value for the Sultanate and the companies in the Freezone. The abundance of energy, raw materials and world-class logistics support in SOHAR, coupled with generous incentives and our One-Stop-Shop system for all Government clearances, provides a significant advantage for business.