Port of Sohar inks U$200m jetty deal

Artist's impression of the plant at Sohar

The Port of Sohar in Oman has signed three contracts for the financing, dredging and constructing the 1380-metre long and 25-metre deep jetty.

The jetty is a vital part of an ongoing project from Brazilian mining corporation Vale, which is investing U$1.4 billion and started the construction of a pelletising plant in the beginning of 2009 that will supply the region with steel pellets. In addition, Sohar will also function as the distribution centre for iron ore to be exported to the Middle East, India and Africa.

The deep-water jetty will be capable of receiving the next generation of Very Large Ore Carriers of 400.000 dwt to the Port of Sohar in Oman, came into place today. The Port of Sohar will be one of few ports in the world with the possibility to receive these large vessels as the jetty will have a draft of 25 metres.

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The finance contract was signed by a consortium of banks, while Dutch firm Van Oord, famous for working on the Palm islands and The World in Dubai, will carry out dredging duties.

A 50/50 joint venture between the Italian company SAIPEM, and AFCONS from India, will construct the jetty. SAIPEM will focus on the design and to project management while AFCONS will focus on the actual execution and implementation of the project.

The jetty is expected to be completed in Q1 2011.