Mineral products an asset for Port of Salalah

Port of Salalah sees a potential growth in export of mineral products. As logistics is being looked upon as one of the major sectors for the diversification of Oman’s economy Port of Salalah, considered as the second largest in the Middle East, sees even more potential with the promising mineral sector. Mining products have been important commodities that have been exported via Port of Salalah since 2001.

“We started with 50,000 metric tonnes in 2001 and in 2016 we saw an export of nine million metric tonnes out of which about six million metric tonnes was mineral products mainly lime stone and gypsum,” said Mohammed Amer al Mashani, Senior Commercial Manager while speaking to Observer at the Third Oman Minerals and Mining Exhibition and Conference held at Oman Convention and Exhibition Center.

The biggest part of the export goes to India followed by Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Japan.

“There are some shipment being sent to United States,” said Al Mashani.

There is now a strategy that is being planned by Port of Salalah to develop the infrastructure to handle 20 million metric tonnes in the next four years.

At the presentation the CEO of Public Authority of Mining said Oman has massive deposits but until now we are still using only 10 per cent of the available minerals.

“There is still a potential for the 90 per cent to be utilised,” says Al Mashani. He added, “Port of Salalah would like to encourage SMES to take up opportunities in logistics and transportation related to mine industry.” While demand for minerals and its products continue to grow the strategic location of Port of Salalah is viewed as the region’s best located port in order to access the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and East Africa.