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The Omani port of Sohar is emerging as a key spares hub for shipping and oil & gas operations throughout the Middle East, thanks to a new dedicated GAC service.
Gateway to the upper Gulf
With multinational investments of over USD 26 billion to date, the international deep-draft port is one of the world’s fastest-growing port and free zone developments. It saw its first vessel berth in 2004 and today handles more than one million metric tons of sea cargo every week.
Sohar is the gateway to the upper Gulf, giving shippers access to Gulf States without the additional costs of passing through the congested Strait of Hormuz. Not only is it conveniently located for international shipping lines, its road network and airport give it direct links to all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. When built, a proposed railway network connecting all six GCC member states – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – will boost that connectivity even further.
The 4,500 hectare Freezone was added in 2010, and has become a destination of choice for regional and international investors looking for an ideal Middle East hub for trade, commerce, and industry.
Entrepreneurial response
GAC Oman saw Sohar’s potential as a centre for spares handling and responded entrepreneurially to meet demand by establishing its hub therein and obtaining permission for Port Limits and Freezone operations earlier this year.
It was prompted by a request in 2022 from a client which needed to coordinate the delivery of more than 200 drums of chemicals to vessels at Sohar anchorage. It gained traction as concerns about potential unrest made some customers consider landing cargo before the Hormuz Straits for onward transport by road to the upper Gulf.
GAC Oman takes care of customs clearance of spares and holds them under bonded storage until they are needed. And when required, the parts can be transported at short notice to vessels passing near Sohar's territorial waters or by road across borders to other GCC countries.
Energy principals can store their spares in the Freezone storage for a smart delivery plan to their vessels or sites to mitigate additional air freight cost and potential delays.
Port registered service craft can transport parts to vessels steaming Off Port Limits (OPL), without diverting from their voyage plan, saving time and money. The launch service can accommodate any cargo up to 12 metric tonnes, with a deck space of 48 square metres.
Since the hub in Sohar was established, GAC Oman has handled approximately 35 spare parts jobs.
That has included discharging, customs clearing, transporting sensitive temperature-controlled spares from a cable laying vessel from Oman to Abu Dhabi, at the height of summer when special equipment and handling was needed to ensure the units did not overheat. In another case, spares were bought in from the UAE and held in storage at Sohar until the time was right to connect with the vessel Off Port Limits.
Holistic solution
“By introducing such a holistic solution at Sohar, we are tapping into our expertise, commitment and ability to support the regional’s maritime and energy players,” says Ashan Silva, GAC Oman – Sohar’s Business Manager.
“We offer ship owners, ship management companies, ship spares manufacturers, oil majors and others with a bonded warehouse facility to stow ships spares, marine parts and spares within the Freezone.”
