Sohar Port officially launches air quality monitoring project

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Sohar Port and Freezone has officially launched the Air Quality Monitoring Network (AQMN) Project in line with its commitment to implement the directives of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA).

This includes enhancing environmental monitoring in and around the port and promoting effective environmental management. The ceremony took place on Wednesday under the auspices of Mohammed bin Salim Al Tobi, Minister of Environment and Climate Affairs, in the presence of Dr Mohammed bin Nasser Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of Sohar Port and Freezone; Sheikh Mohana bin Saif Al Lamki, Governor of North Al Batinah; and members of the Shura Council. Also in attendance were various representatives from the public sector, as well as several Sohar Port tenants.

A first-of-its-kind project

The AQMN project is a firstof-its-kind comprehensive and integrated project in the Sultanate, which specialises in monitoring air quality at the port and freezone, as well as in the surrounding areas. It was launched by Omani company Nakheel Environmental and Industrial Solutions, in accordance with Ministerial Decree No. 41/2017.

The AQMN project consists of both fixed and mobile stations positioned at critical locations around the port and freezone. This is one of the key projects that will help ensure that the development of Sohar is both sustainable and compliant with national and international environmental standards.

In his speech at the ceremony, Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of Sohar Port and Freezone, stated that they remain staunchly committed to the protection of the environment, and the partnership with MECA was a great extension of this commitment, one that he said Sohar Port hoped to continue well into the future.

The ceremony also included a speech by Eng. Said Al Abdali, Director of Environment and Climate Affairs in North Batinah Governorate, wherein he spoke about MECA’s strategy in legislating laws and regulations to protect the environment and its natural resources, while simultaneously achieving the sustainable development objectives of environmental management.

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