New terminal celebrated at Port of Sohar

New terminal celebrated at Port of Sohar Oman International Container Terminal (OICT) on Sunday celebrated the official opening of the first stage of its new container terminal at the Port of Sohar.
   Terminal B, Phase 1 has a total quay length of 285 meters (935 feet) and a depth alongside of 16.5 meters (54 feet). The terminal has four post-Panamax quay cranes, eight rubber-tired gantry cranes, two reachstackers, and a fleet of 15 tractors and 33 trailers. Vessels started calling at the terminal in September.
   Phase 2 is expected to come on stream ahead of schedule next month. Upon completion, the container terminal will have a total quay length of 520 meters (1,706 feet) and a total yard area of 28 hectares.
   OICT is a joint development between the Hutchison Port Holdings, the government of Oman, Steinweg of the Netherlands and three non-specified Omani investors.
   'With its strategic location outside the Straits of Hormuz in the Gulf of Oman, OICT will strengthen Oman's position as a center of trade in the region, as well as serve as a gateway to international trade for the Sohar Industrial Port and other developing industries in the Batinah region,' said John Meredith, group managing director of HPH.