Oman’s Port of Duqm is looking to select an operator for the new container terminal and in order to do so, has launched an international tender, media reports said. The operator will be granted a 30-year licence to operate and develop the port.
The new terminal, located in the Southwest region of the sultanate, will have a capacity of 1.7 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) by the end of the first phase of the project.
Last month, Dubai-based port operator DP World opened a new container terminal at Berbera Port in Somaliland.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World told the media, “Our further expansion of the port in a second phase, and its integration with the special economic zone we are developing along the Berbera Corridor, reflects our confidence in Berbera and intent to develop it into a significant, world-class centre of trade.
“It will be a viable, efficient and competitive option for trade in the region, especially for Ethiopian transit cargo,” he added.
Earlier this year, DP World also signed an agreement to co-develop logistics infrastructure in Ethiopia. DP World signed a preliminary agreement with Ethiopia’s transport ministry. The preliminary agreement also involves setting up a joint venture logistics company. Further details of the deal were not disclosed.
In this regard, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem told the media, “We strongly believe that developing the Berbera corridor into one of the major trade and logistics corridors will unlock huge economic benefits for Ethiopia, and support its ambitious development plans.”