Boost to railway project.

MUSCAT Eoe1/4" Oman International Trade and Exhibitions (OITE) is organising TransOman Expo and Conference from October 13 to 15.

While the TransOman Expo will be held at Oman International Exhibition Centre for the entire three days, the TransOman Conference, titled Eoe1/4Y[pounds sterling]Transport Innovation and ChallengesEoe1/4ao, will be held at Golden Tulip Hotel in Seeb on October 14 and 15.

The conference will highlight the projects planned on Batinah Railway and the proposed Pan-GCC Railway.

The GCC region has become increasingly attractive to international third party logistics operators who are setting up bases and trade routes.

The logistics industry is estimated to be more than $40 billion and with an average growth of 19 per cent.

Speaking on the event, Nick Hodge, managing director at OITE, said: Eoe1/4EoRail is the next area of opportunity in terms of logistics as a feasibility study for the construction of GCC Railway is underway. This long-distance network is indeed a fitting step forward and will further boost the growth of the logistics industry. Thus, the TransOman Conference will provide an overview of the railway development in Muscat and across the GCC region.Eoe1/4A[yen]

Providing greater capacity for freight movement, the railway line will allow fast transfer of goods between countries and eliminate congestion on roadways. The GCC Railway system plans to link the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

Robust growth

The rail link will enable the logistics industry to achieve robust growth once the ongoing and future rail projects in the GCC are completed.

Last year, the Sultanate of Oman revealed future plans for its first-ever rail infrastructure and appointed consultants to carry out a feasibility study to build a 200km railway network running initially from Sohar to Barka before being extended to Duqm. The TransOman Conference will highlight various opportunities in the logistics arena including rail development, airport development projects for Muscat, Salalah, Ad Duqm, Ras Al Hadd, Sohar and Adam Airports; ports & free zones development project, and land transport, amongst others.

More details on the conference can be had at www.trans-oman.com.

With the commitment to providing port users with facilities and services on par with good standards, Port Services Corporation (PSC) is also supporting the TransOman Conference.

PSC operates Port Sultan Qaboos (PSQ), which was built in 1971 as a result of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin SaidEoe1/4aos vision to construct a modern seaport facility in Oman. PSQ soon established itself as a premier maritime gateway to the Sultanate of Oman and as an ideal hub for the Arabian Gulf, Indian subcontinent and markets in East and South Africa.

Traffic at Port Sultan Qaboos has been growing at 20 per cent annually since the past four years, with its operating revenue at around 25 per cent, which was quite exceptional. Port Sultan Qaboos has indeed gone a long way and contributed significantly to the local economy.

Eoe1/4EoWith the SultanateEoe1/4aos economic stability and outstanding growth in the logistics industry, PSQ expects more business opportunities in the coming years. Thus, PSC actively supports TransOman, perceiving it to be an unparalleled avenue to attract greater investment opportunities in the country, specifically in the field of transport, shipping and logistics,Eoe1/4A[yen] said a senior official of Port Services Corporation.

Port Sultan Qaboos is OmanEoe1/4aos premier maritime gateway, having the capacity to store 6,498 teus per day with average dwell time of 15.5 days per container. The port is an ideal trans-shipment hub for the upper and red sea port trade flows, providing container terminal, break bulk, ro-ro, cruises and anchorage services, amongst others. PSC is well equipped with a wide array of vehicles and equipment and specialised teams of engineers, mechanics and technicians.

Milestones

Among its recent milestones include the launch of new Container Management System providing WEBIP and the new passenger terminal building.

PSQ provides direct services including pilotage and towage of vessels, discharging and loading of containerised and conventional cargo, trans-shipment operations; storage and handling of all types of cargo, and fresh water supply.

PSQ also provides indirect services through third parties such as discharging of bulk grain through evacuators and storage in grain silos, bunkering through private operators like Shell and Oasis Energy, and cement bagging facilities.

Port Sultan QaboosEoe1/4ao already impressive structure, fast and efficient handling operations and documentation and clearance system is further enhanced year after year.

It aims at providing efficient and effective services to satisfy all customers and port users, maximise the use of resources, provide the best facilities to encourage import and export cargo and also attract container trans-shipment.

Muscat Press and Publishing House SAOC 2009

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