The Port of Sohar’s trump card is its location: in the Gulf area, but ouside the Strait of Hormuz - avoiding increased insurance premiums for visiting ships - , and close to energy resources. The Port of Sohar is a world class port, capable of receiving ships up to 16.5 m draught. With the world’s shipping lanes close at hand, the Port of Sohar is a perfect first point of entry to the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The port is connected by excellent roads to its hinterland, with Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Muscat within a circle of 240 km. Sohar is close to Iran, Pakistan and the booming economy of India. Also the eastern coast of Africa is well within reach of the new port. Its chemical, metal and logistics clusters provide an excellent production base. Space and manpower are readily available around Sohar. The local workforce is relatively young, adaptive, willing to learn and familiar with industrial activities, due to the presence of the nearby Sohar Industrial Estate. Another advantage is that Oman’s government enjoys the reputation of being a politically stable, reliable and trusted partner. The government offers special arrangements for industries that settle in Sohar.


Companies of Name and Fame

Companies of worldwide reputation are present in the port: Air Liquide, Alcan, Hutchinson Port Holdings, Larsen & Tourbro, LG, MAN Ferrostaal, Methanol Holding International, Odfjell, Oiltanking, Shadeed Iron & Steel, Steinweg, Suez, etc. Many of the companies in the Port of Sohar are joint ventures of international and Omani/GCC companies. See also the Port 2007 Directory.



The working environment is truly cosmopolitan, with workers coming from not only the whole Arabian Peninsula, but also from Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, China (Hong Kong), Egypt, France, Germany, India, Iran, Korea, The Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan and the United States.

Skilled labour

Most of the base industries will be operational in 2008. They provide feedstock to all kinds of labour-intensive secondary industries. Oman has a young population and a potential for skilled labour. Education is a top priority in the Sultanate. The International Maritime College of Oman (IMCO), active in the port area, provides an example. Classes have already started in temporary accommodation. IMCO plans to train up to 1000 students as operators for the industry and maritime sector. The locally trained workforce is expected to  become one of the assets of the Port of Sohar.

Larger picture

The initiative for Sohar port development was taken by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman (GSO). It fits in with the long-term strategy to diversify Oman’s economy and to provide jobs for Oman’s growing population, according to the Oman Vision 2020. Creating opportunities for private sector companies, GSO tries to give as much added value to its natural resources as possible. This will create a base for a robust knowledge-driven economy and will establish a labour-intensive socio-economic structure.

The concession area of SIPC is part of a much larger development, the so-called Greater Sohar Industrial Port Area. Already in existence is the nearby Sohar Industrial Estate of 220 ha, an ideal location for industries that are not deep sea bound. A special economic zone is planned next to the SIPC premises (and partly overlapping). The base industries will generate downstream industries as well as small-to-medium enterprises in manufacturing and logistics. These will gradually add up to a thriving community of commercial and other related service activities. The port side of this development fits in with Oman’s ambition to regain its prominent maritime position, as reflected by the founding of Oman Shipping Company and Oman Ship Management Company.