764,000 tonnes of cargo in May – the largest volume of cargo handled since port began operations
The Port of Salalah general cargo terminal (GCT) handled a record 764,000 tonnes of cargo in May this year. This is the largest volume of cargo handled in any month since the port began operations in 1998.
The GCT has seen double digit growth every year for over a decade and the record volume of May is 31 per cent higher than the same month of the previous year.
The general cargo terminalprimarily handles local cargo and has seen little effect from the recession over the past few years with volumes continuing to grow.
The largest growing exports from the terminal are limestone and gypsum which now account for 58 per cent of exports.
This growth in business is due to an increasing demand for minerals from the subcontinent and Oman has some of the highest grade minerals as a natural resource. Cargo handled at the container terminal during May was 267,000 TEU (twenty-foot container equivalent units)
Peter Ford, chief executive of Port of Salalah, said The year-on-year growth of bulk cargo serves to demonstrate the strength of the national economy and its resilience to the recession as well as Salalahs excellent geographical location which is well suited to grow all types of industry and cargo types.
The expansion of the general cargo terminal and growth at the Salalah Free Zone will ensure continued growth of local cargo well into the future.
Source: Times Of Oman
