Oman's Sohar Port positions itself as Gulf gateway for Indian traders amid Hormuz tensions

New Delhi: Oman's Sohar Port is actively positioning itself as a gateway for Indian businesses, traders and investors to access the Gulf and the broader West Asia region amid the maritime challenges posed by the US-Iran war.

Authorities in Sohar Port and Sohar Free Zone, situated outside the Strait of Hormuz, held an exposition in New Delhi earlier this week to attract Indian businesses. The exposition highlighted Sohar Port and Freezone's integrated port and ecosystem, investment opportunities across industrial sectors and infrastructure supporting businesses operating from Oman.

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The Port and Freezone attracted more than $30 billion in total investments and handles over 72 million tonnes of cargo annually.

"Sohar and other ports of Oman are now becoming a gateway for Indian manufacturing sector expansion in Oman and also the wider region," ambassador of Oman to India, Issa Saleh Abdullah Alshibani, told ET. "Oman is becoming a very attractive destination for investors, not only to the Omani market but also to the wider region."

People familiar with the matter said Sohar Port's proximity to UAE and a plan to create a green corridor with the UAE's Jabel Ali Port is an added advantage to Indian traders. The green corridor will enable quicker customs clearance for Indian goods to reach Jabel Ali from Sohar.

Sohar Port is one of the fastest-growing ports globally, offering a variety of value-added services. Operational since 2004, the port is a 21 million sqm deep-sea hub comprising three established major clusters of logistics, petrochemicals and metals. More recently, the port added a food cluster, which includes Oman's first-ever terminal dedicated to the handling of agricultural products, officials said.

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The port is within a fortnight sail of all major global ports, enabling swift access to the rapidly growing markets of GCC, India and East Africa. Oman's Port of Salalah is also being positioned for exports of agricultural and food products from India to the Gulf, people said. Salalah hosts more than 2,500 vessel calls each year and is one of the fastest-growing port operations worldwide, officials said, adding that an advanced wave-dampening system reduces ship movement in port - allowing high-speed container unloading and access to Oman's new road network connecting the port with the rapidly expanding GCC market. India has a strategic presence in Oman's Port of Duqm. It is the gateway to the largest special economic zone in the entire Gulf.