NEW DELHI: Since the conflict in West Asia disrupted shipping through Strait of Hormuz, Oman’s Sohar Port has emerged as a key gateway for Indian exporters shipping cargo to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Feeder vessel services between India and Sohar have increased by nearly 400%, reflecting a shift in regional trade routes, a top Sohar Port executive said.GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Since the crisis, several shipping lines have rerouted services to ports located east of Strait of Hormuz, including Salalah, Khorfakkan, Sohar and Jeddah.Responding to a question from TOI, Sohar Port deputy CEO Raid Al Rubaiey said the port has seen a sharp rise in food and consumer cargo from India.“A lot of foodstuff is now coming through Sohar and other GCC ports. We are seeing significant volumes of rice and other food products from India. Many Indian products that earlier moved on large vessels through Strait of Hormuz are now coming via Sohar. The frequency of feeder vessels between India and Oman has increased fourfold,” he said.
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Rubaiey added cargo arriving at Sohar from India and other countries is being transported by road to destinations across GCC, strengthening the port’s role as a regional distribution hub.With cargo volumes rising, Sohar Port is expanding its handling capacity to position itself as “the gateway for India to the GCC”, he said. He added that the port is in discussions with several Indian terminal operators that have expressed interest in operating facilities at Sohar, as the port looks to deepen its logistics partnership with India.
