Imports rise at Oman port with Hormuz closure

Oman is emerging as a leading alternative for redirected freight in the Arabian Gulf after Iran disrupted shipping by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz.

The number of ships calling at Sohar port, 200km north of Muscat, the capital, since the war broke out at the end of February increased by about 40 percent. Cargo handling capacity has risen by 55 percent, according to Oman’s ministry of transport, communication and information technology.

Half of the imports handled by the port are food, followed by medicine and industrial materials for general manufacturing, the ministry said in a report.  

“The imports also serve well to fill up the depots recently built in Sohar for the food corridor to the Gulf countries,” a port spokesperson said.

Earlier this month Oman set up regional food depots near Sohar port to establish a secure supply chain to its Gulf neighbours. 

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The depot will connect with the $2.5 billion Hafeet railway, which Oman and the UAE started to build in May last year. Sohar is the starting point for the 240km line. 

Oman, which sits outside the strategic strait, has been less exposed in the US-Israeli war with Iran, with fewer attacks from Iran than its GCC partners.  

There have still been several attacks in Oman, however, including one in the industrial area in Sohar and a second near the southern port of Salalah, while the central town of Duqm, has been hit too.