Oman’s Salalah signs MoU to grow Iranian ports

2016-03-08

Oman’s Salalah signs MoU to grow Iranian ports

Oman’s Port of Salalah has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for co-operation with Iran’s Shahid Rajaee and Chabahar Ports.

Signed between Ebrahim Idani, director general for Hormozgan Provence, Port and Maritime Organisation (PMO) of Iran, and Port of Salalah ceo Ahmed Akaak, the agreement is aimed at developing and promoting an all water route between the three ports, amounting to a round trip of 2,152 nautical miles.

The agreement is also intended to use experience acquired at APM Terminals-operated Port of Salalah to modernise and revamp the infrastructure at Shahid Rajaee and Chabahar, as well as offering support and expertise in training and skill development for the Iranian work force.

“With multiple main line services already providing a comprehensive and reliable global connectivity via Salalah, and strong interest shown by all shipping lines in catering to the growing Iranian economy, this agreement will act as a facilitator and a platform for the three ports to work together to provide best in class logistics and supply chain solutions for multiple stakeholders,” said Akaak.

“With a number of joint ventures being discussed between the two governments, the local community sees this agreement as a step towards anchoring some of these ventures in Salalah providing career opportunities for the Omani talent,” he added.

As well as offering hinterland industries a gateway to the wider market, said Salalah ceo David Gledhill, “We also envisage the landlocked countries adjacent to Iran to use the existing multilateral agreements for transport corridors to access new markets and thereby enhance regional trade opportunities.”

The news follows another MoU between the Indian government and Chabahar port, which expected to grow from an annual capacity of 2.5m tonnes, to 12.5m tonnes over the next few years.

Source from : Seatrade Global

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