Sohar Port’s OICT to remain open over Eid holiday

01/10/2014 01:04 AST

Sohar Port and Freezone says it has been working closely with the Oman International Container Terminal (OICT) as it continues to improve handling times for container shipments coming in and out of the port.

“We have been encouraged by some of the steps that have been taken to ensure terminal operations are restored to acceptable standards as soon as possible. Following the announcement by the Royal Oman Police that shipping agents would have the temporary option of processing customs paperwork in Muscat for cargo arriving into Sohar, OICT has announced it will remain open during the forthcoming Eid al Adha festival to ensure that operations continue moving forward and most importantly, that we avoid a repeat of what happened when the supply chain closed down for the previous Eid holiday at the end of Ramadhan,” the authority said in a statement.

“OICT has also launched a new online customer service platform called ‘Terminal Talk’ that will provide round-the-clock access to the terminal. This will be vital in ensuring that all parties continue talking to each other as we adjust to a new business environment and move positively into a new era for Oman’s shipping and logistics industry. That will only happen if everyone works together, and while there are still a few outstanding things that will need putting into place in order to straighten out the supply chain, we continue to see very positive signs of progress. I therefore remain confident the worst is behind us.

At the same time, I would like to thank all parties responsible for cargo entering and leaving SOHAR for their patience and encourage them to make full use of the additional hours at OICT over the Eid holiday,” Sohar Port added in its statement.

Oman Daily Observer