Port Tariffs
The Government of the Sultanate of Oman has a concessionary agreement with Sohar Industrial Port Company SAOC (SIPC). This allows SIPC to develop, manage and operate the Sohar Industrial Port area (Royal Degree 80/2002). This concession entitles SIPC to charge port dues for vessels entering the port area of Sohar.
The port dues are assessed on except exempted vessels entering the port area of Sohar for the purpose of discharging or loading of cargo or passengers or any other purposes. Charges are based on Gross Registered Tonage (GRT) of the vessel as found in the Lloyd’s register of shipping or any other recognised register. The agent of the vessel is obliged to prove the GRT of a vessel to SIPC by showing the original certificate of the GRT of the vessel. In the case of dual GRTs, the higher GRT will be applied.
Effectively from 01st July, 2011, Indexation is applicable for all port tariffs and is subject to the CPI of Oman for each financial year.
Payment
Port dues shall be paid in US Dollar (US$) or Omani Rial (OMR) by the agents of the vessel. Payment of the port dues must take place before the departure of the vessel or the agents of the vessel must have given a bank guarantee for the payable port dues. Payment of the port dues will take place in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman at
Oman Arab Bank, Ruwi Main Branch
Account number 3101-007970-500
Please mention the invoice number (vessel call number) when payment is made.
Project cargo surcharge
The project cargo surcharge is US$ 1.00 per freight ton (w/M) on project cargoes destined for projects inside the SIP concession area port.
The surcharge will be levied via the shipping agent. Project Cargoes are defined as all material and equipment that will be used for the construction of projects inside the SIP concession area. Pipes and related equipment for pipelines outside the SIP concession area will not be affected by the surcharge. Cargoes for receivers/ shippers outside the SIP concession area will also not be affected by the surcharge.
Procedure
Shipping agents should adhere to the following:
- Submit a certified copy of the vessels’ cargo manifest to SIPC Sohar Office marking it for the attention of the harbour master. This should be done at least 72 hours prior to ETA.
- A letter from the agent on letterheaded paper should accompany the cargo manifest. This should state the freight tons and full consignee/receiver details.
- If the agent is in doubt whether the cargo is subject to a surcharge then the SIPC commercial manage should be contacted in writing only at least 72 hours prior to ETA. Full details of the consignee and/or notifying party must be provided.
- All invoices are payable prior to the vessel’s departure but a deposit arrangement can be discussed.
Structure of costs
Port of Sohar is managed according to the landlort port model.
Visiting vessels should consider the following:
- Marine services (tugs, pilots) are provided by Svitzer and these are charged for separately.
- AMNAS (Arabian Maritime and Navigational Aids Services CO LLC) levies for navigational aids.
- Linesmen are charged by SIPC on behalf of Al Batina International.
- Every stevedoring company charges separately for its activities.
- Every vessel is obliged to pay AMNAS (Arabian Maritime and Navigational Aids Services Co LLC) a fee for navigational aids in the territorial waters of Oman (Royal Decree 81/2003; Ministerial Circulat No 218/2003). These will be levied in the first port of call in Oman.
Arabian Maritime and Navigation Aids Services LLC
PO Box 1677,CPO Seeb Postal Code 111, Sultanate of Oman.
The Port of Sohar is the first port in the Middle East to enter the Green Award scheme - a certification system that encourages ships and ship-owners to embrace environment-friendly operational and management practices. The scheme allows special reduction in port dues for Green Awarded vessels. Please read more at www.greenaward.org