Oman Shipping Co (OSC) is taking on road transport in the country with a new feeder service that links all ports in the country with the UAE.

The fortnightly Oman Express Service, which OSC described as a “bold move to boost trade links”, will be run by subsidiary Oman Container Lines (OCL)

OSC will use its deploy its own multi-purpose vessel Hamra, which can handle break bulk and project cargo, and 350 teu of containers or 8,000 tonnes of general cargo.

OSC chief executive Tarik Mohamed Al Junaidi said the new service would be cheaper and faster than the road transport, which currently handles all freight to the interior of the country.

Al Junaidi said the move would help drive port development in Duqm and Salalah ports.

“Duqm is set to become Oman’s gateway for heavy cargo and the Sultanate’s next industrial hub once it is fully operational, with major construction work in hand to handle greatly increased container, project and general cargo,” he explained.