General Description
Location: Sohar, a new port, is situated on the NE coast close to the UAE border on the Gulf of Oman (outside the Strait of Hormuz), approx. 220 km. from Muscat and 160 km. from Dubai.
General overview: Sohar, which was opened in 2004, is managed by Sohar Industrial Port Co (SIPC), a 50/50 joint venture between the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and Rotterdam port. Oman International Container Terminal (OICT) has been operational since September 2006 when phase 1 was completed. The port will handle a variety of cargoes including general cargo, dry bulk, break bulk, containers, oil products and LPG. Continued construction is expected for several years to complete the port project. At the moment, the port consists of three terminals: Oiltanking Odfjell Terminal, Hutchison OICT 1, Hutchison OICT 2.
Soher Port East: The waterfront location is situated in close proximity to cool water and the industrial clusters. With a sizable land area of over 750,000 sqm, it is ideal for companies in the logistics and metal sectors. The integrated Port and Freezone complex, provides easy connection between the two, further enhancing convenience for tenants.
Sohar Port South expansion: The new SOHAR Port South expansion, which will ultimately add 2,200-hectares to the land area is well under way. In addition to the land area, SOHAR Port South will also provide additional cargo capacity in the form of new deep water berths. SOHAR Port South Package I has already added 50-hectares to the land area and is fully completed.|
The bulk-friendly nature of the terminal comes with the Valemax loading capacity at Sohar. The approach depth for alongside operations at the bulk terminal is 16 meters. Meanwhile, the Valemax terminal goes up to 22 meters alongside the draft. Hence, the maximum allowable displacement for cargo handling reaches up to 458,000 MT.
These facilities have the fixed and movable cranes for the storage of cargo. However, the depth alongside container cargo is 18 meters. The facility also has conveyor and road options for handling quick bulk cargo.
Traffic figures: Approx. 3000 vessels call at the port annually.
Load line zone: Tropical.
Max size: Draught: 23 m; LOA: 380 m; size: 400,000 DWT.
Breakbulk: LOA 325 m., draft 14.5 m.
Containers: LOA 380 m., draft 17.0 m.
Ro-Ro: LOA 325 m., draft 14.5 m.
Bulk: 400,000 d.w.t., draft 23.0 m.
Tankers: LOA 268 m., draft 15.5 m.
Gas: LOA 268 m., draft 15.5 m.
I. Important Note on Hold condition :
Surveyors are very strict on the Hold inspection.
Kindly ensure ALL HOLDS are in very clean (no rust scales, previous cargo residues, stains), neat (tank top, frames, under hatch coaming, bulkhead), dry, and is ready to load condition.
In the event of a vessel being rejected, the vessel has to vacate the berth immediately. Cleaning of Holds can be arranged at a different terminal / Layby berth. If the vsl Stays idle at CSO berth will be charged for Gang idling and vsl Unworkable vsl charges as per their tariff published in C.Steinweg Oman website.
The cost of unberthing & re-berthing is quite high (including quay wall charges) and hence considering all facts, we request vessels to take utmost care on hold condition prior to arrival to Sohar port.
II. NOR Tendering :
NOR to be tendered to all parties upon readiness of the vsl. Berthing will be allocated by the terminal upon receipt of NOR or all documents are submitted to the terminal prior arrival.
In case if the Holds are rejected and/or the vsl not ready for Holds inspection/draft survey/cargo operations the NOR will be considered as rejected.
III. ETA relaying:
The Terminal requires ETA twice in a day. The Master needs to co-operate on the same. Any delay in relaying the ETA in time shall affect the berthing of the vessel or Gang idling charges subject to the terminal management decision.
IMO Class 1 handling (C.STEINWEG TERMINAL( CSO) & OMAN INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER TERMINAL ( OICT))
- Import IMO class 1 can be handled in above terminals. Receivers to obtain ROYAL OMAN POLICE permits & ROP Transport escorts confirmation to get berthing from the terminal. BILL OF ENTRY on Receiver's Scope.
- In case of transhipment both vessels to be declared available at the port as berthing is only subject to both vessels available at port, i.e. no storage facility.
- Export - Shipper to Obtain ROYAL OMAN POLICE permits & ROP Transport escorts confirmation to get berthing from the terminal. BILL OF ENTRY on Shipper's scope.