Oman: Port of Duqm to build cement terminal

Oman is set to increase imports of cement and bitumen with the establishment of new terminals at the Port of Duqm. Both facilities are indispensable to supporting the speedy and cost-effective development of the region’s ambitious Special Economic Zone (SEZ), according to a senior official of the port authority.

“We are finalising negotiations with a well-known Omani cement manufacturer for the development of a cement import terminal on the quayside at Duqm Port,” said Reggy Vermeulen, commercial director, Port of Duqm SAOC.

A modern 150,000tpa cement terminal is envisaged at a site along Duqm Port’s quay wall. The facility will be linked via a system of pipelines and conveyors to a roughly 4ha plot earmarked by the port authority for use by the investor for storage, bagging and other purposes. A culvert connecting the quay wall site with the adjoining plot is due to be ready early next year.

Mr Vermeulen said the cement terminal project is distinct from another parallel venture linked to the planned development of a fully-fledged cement manufacturing plant at Duqm. Talks are under way with a well-established cement producer for the construction of the works on a plot of land managed by the Port of Duqm, he said.

“There are discussions under way with a company that is keen to establish a cement plant, designed partly for export. The company wishes to build this plant in a manner that would allow them to export part of the output via our quay. Discussions are now focused on exploring the most ideal location for the cement plant in terms of its proximity to the quay wall, as well as to allow for expansion and development in the future,” the official stated.

The cement and bitumen terminals are expected to be constructed and operational by around the end of 2013, Mr Vermeulen said. “We are looking at a 12-month timeframe for the completion of the terminals after the handover of the culverts to the parties concerned, which will happen around the end of this year or early next year. Based on this timeline, the terminals are expected to be in operation by the end of 2013.”