SOHAR PORT AND FREEZONE EMERGES AS A PILLAR OF OMAN’S DIVERSIFICATION DRIVE

Muscat: SOHAR Port and Freezone hosted its annual Business Reception, bringing together senior government officials, investors, and partners at a time that reflects six years of economic restructuring under the leadership of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, and the steady translation of Oman Vision 2040 from policy into execution. Over this period, SOHAR has emerged as one of the clearest operational expressions of that national shift. As a fully integrated port and freezone, it sits at the intersection of trade, industrial policy, and investment reform, serving as a national platform for diversification, connectivity, and in local content creation.

Since 2019, the port’s performance has closely mirrored Oman’s broader reform trajectory. SOHAR’s annual throughput increased from 62 million metric tons to 72 million metric tons by the end of 2025, reflecting higher trade volumes, deeper integration into global supply chains, and growing confidence among international shipping lines and industrial operators. Vessel calls increased from 3,144 to 3,427, reinforcing SOHAR’s position as a reliable regional and international gateway.

Investment flows have followed a similar pattern. In 2025 alone, SOHAR secured USD 968 million in new commitments across eight agreements, leasing 76 hectares of land within the port and freezone. The projects are long-term in nature, export-oriented, and aligned with national priorities around industrial diversification.

For SOHAR’s leadership, the past six years mark a structural rather than cyclical shift. Emile Hoogsteden, CEO of SOHAR Port, “SOHAR Port and Freezone continues to build an integrated logistics and industrial ecosystem that supports trade and industrial development, while strengthening the long-term resilience of supply chains. This growth reflects strategic planning and sustained investment in infrastructure, with a clear focus on reliability and sustainability. As we move forward with our expansion, our responsibility grows to ensure safe and balanced growth, and to prepare for more complex supply chains, cleaner energy, and higher-value industries that contribute to lasting national value.

That alignment has become increasingly visible in Oman’s macroeconomic indicators. In 2025, SOHAR Freezone ranked third globally in fDi Intelligence’s free zone index, while Oman regained investment-grade status.

Beyond trade and capital, SOHAR has sought to anchor its growth locally. Its corporate social responsibility programs reached nearly 50,000 beneficiaries in 2025, spanning education, skills development, healthcare support, and environmental initiatives, an attempt to embed industrial growth within surrounding communities.

Eng. Raid Al Rubaiey, CEO of SOHAR Freezone and Deputy CEO of SOHAR Port, said, “The investment flowing into SOHAR reflects confidence in Oman’s reform trajectory and institutional stability under Oman Vision 2040. The projects choosing to locate here are long-term and aligned with national priorities around diversification, exports, and in-country value. SOHAR operates as a national platform for inclusive and future-ready growth, built through close partnership between government, industry, and the wider community.”

The Business Reception was held amid renewed national momentum and a strengthened reform agenda, reflecting SOHAR Port and Freezone’s strategic role in advancing a robust and competitive investment environment.

About SOHAR Port and Freezone

SOHAR Port and Freezone is one of the world’s fastest-growing integrated industrial and logistics hubs, strategically positioned to connect businesses to the world and facilitate trade across diverse sectors. This significant mega-project, a collaboration between ASYAD Group & the Port of Rotterdam, offers a comprehensive range of services, including logistics, petrochemicals, metals, and the region’s first dedicated agro terminal.

With over 20 years of operation, SOHAR has become the primary gateway for Oman’s import and export activities, contributing 2.6% to the nation’s GDP and creating 42,000 direct and indirect jobs. The SOHAR Freezone enhances operational efficiencies through synergies in green manufacturing, logistics, and trade. Currently, land occupancy for both phase one and phase two has reached 66%.

SOHAR Port is a multifunctional port driving innovation and efficiency in Oman’s logistics, marine services, and trade sectors, committed to sustainable development and advanced technology. This modernization aligns with the economic diversification objectives outlined in Oman’s Vision 2040.