Port of Sohar is a deep sea port in the Middle East situated in the Sultanate of Oman, 220km northwest of its capital Muscat. The management of this industrial port lies with Sohar Industrial Port Company SAOC (SIPC), a 50/50 joint venture between the Government of Oman and the Port of Rotterdam.

The original agreement between the two parties was signed in 2002 and first industrial developments started in 2004. Today, the port is fully operational with state-of-the-art facilities and terminals. With current investments exceeding $14billion it is one of the world's largest port development projects.

Located just outside the Strait of Hormuz, Port of Sohar is within easy reach of the booming economies of the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent and has good connectivity to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain and Muscat. The biggest consumer market in the region, Saudi Arabia, can be reached directly from Sohar.

Port of Sohar houses three clusters: logistics, petrochemicals and metals. World-leading companies Vale, Air Liquide, Larsen & Toubro, Methanol Holding International and Jindal Power & Steel are established in Port of Sohar. The independent terminals are operated by world class leading companies; C. Steinweg Oman for general cargo, a joint venture between Oiltanking and Odfjell for liquid cargo and Hutchinson Whampoa for containers

MILESTONES

1990: Conclusion of the study by Japan International Cooperation Agency recommending the site selection of the Port of Sohar and the Special Economic Zone.

1999: Commencement of construction on the Port of Sohar

2002: A Concession agreement was signed between the Government of Oman and the Port of Rotterdam to develop and manage the Sohar Industrial Port Company on a 50/50 share basis. This includes developing a zone for heavy industries and building cargo terminals in an area of approximately 2000 hectares.

2003: First lease agreement was signed between Sohar Industrial Port Company and Sohar Refinery; followed by a similar agreement for the general cargo terminal with Steinweg.

2004: Commencement of ship operations, and development for the industrial projects. Received  the first cargo vessel at the general cargo terminal.

2007: An addendum to the concession agreement was signed between the Government of Oman and the Port of Rotterdam thus expanding the concession area to include 4500 hectares for Special Economic Zone, to promote investments in mainly added-value logistics and downstream industries supported by educational infrastructure. The agreement also granted Sohar Industrial Company an extension to its term up to 2043.

2007: A broad master file vision of the North Batinah was prepared by the Port of Rotterdam under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and in collaboration with the other governmental bodies and Sohar Industrial Port Company. The master plan was approved by the members of the Supreme Committee of Town Planning.

2009: SKIL of India is included as shareholder to jointly develop and manage a Special Economic Zone, Freezone Sohar.

2010: Freezone Sohar incentive package for investors has been formalized by means of Royal Decree.

2011: The Government, by means of Royal Directive announces the decision to concentrate cargo movements in Sohar.