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Sohar Port and Freezone in Oman has seen a significant increase in vessel calls between the years of 2012 and 2015. With the recent release of 2015 figures, it's evident that this port is one of the fastest-growing ports in the world.

One of the most noticeable areas of increase during this time period is the rapid increase in vessel calls arriving at Sohar. As Oman's number one port continues to expand, we can expect these numbers to continue trending upwards in the future.

Year vessel call statistics

The number of overall vessel calls has increased from the 1918 vessels in 2012 to the 2545 vessels serviced in 2015. This growth of 627 more vessels shows a 32 percent increase in 4 years.

While the containers received in 2015 were more than those in 2015, the addition of a new terminal to the port will likely increase the overall number of containers that go through Sohar in the coming years.

Bunker sales to vessel calls

With the increasing number of vessel calls arriving in Sohar Port and Freezone each year, the resident fuel and oil company working in the port, Omanoil Matrix Marine Services LLC (MXO), has been expanding to meet the ever increasing bunkering needs of shipping firms.

Exact sales figures fuel numbers are not available from MXO, but it's easy to see the relation between rising vessel calls and the need for more marine fuels. MXO has made more investments in the port to assist in supplying the bunker needs of vessel calls.

Investments made into Sohar port

Since its establishment in 2002, Sohar Port and Freezone has received more than $25 billion USD in investments. $10 billion USD has come in since 2013, making the last few years some of the largest growth years that Sohar has seen.

Automation and technological advancements are the main benefit from all the investments that have been coming to Sohar. Turnaround times are getting faster as the automated systems work. One noteworthy system that has been put into use at Sohar is the online truck appointment system that is used to facilitate the timely arrival of containers trucks to the port. This helps to reduce waiting time all around as well as reduces wastage of fuels.

Container capacity increases

The most visible change we can see at the port is the addition of Terminal C - a state of the art facility that increased the container by double what it was previously. Terminal C boasts the addition of modern quayside cranes that allow Sohar to accept and process 20,000-TEU container ships, a feat that was previously not possible at this port.

Mega-vessels will now be able to make direct calls at Sohar. Not only does the introduction of Terminal C mark a new class of ships able to load and unload at the port, but the terminal will soon feature an enormous 1.2-kilometre jetty for ships to berth at.

Construction is beginning in the coming years on an additional terminal, labelled Terminal D, that will further the abilities of the port to accept a wide variety of large, modern vessels.

Bunker transfer improvements

Another way in which Sohar Port and Freezone has advanced is with the recent addition of a 7,535-dwt fuel barge to the harbour. The barge is said to provide heavy fuel oil (HFO) and marine gas oil (MGO) to any location within Sohar Port and anchorage areas. This is the second such barge in Sohar, and both of the vessels are used exclusively for fuel transport and transfer within the port area.