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OMAN - Transport

Omar bin Mahmood Al Mahrizi

CEO, SOHAR Freezone & Deputy CEO, SOHAR Port

Bio

Omar bin Mahmood Al Mahrizi, a seasoned C-level executive with over two decades of experience, demonstrates exceptional leadership as the CEO of SOHAR Freezone and Deputy CEO of SOHAR Port. As a chief corporate development at ASYAD, he has successfully led transformational initiatives. His contributions to organizations like Mwasalat and Nama Holding, ALAHLIA Insurance, Oman Refineries and Petrochemicals Company, and Majan University College highlight his expertise and impact. Omar’s leadership prowess positions him as a key figure in Oman’s business community, fostering sustainable growth and innovation.

"SOHAR Port is strategically positioned as a pivotal regional logistics hub leveraging its prime location at the intersection of key trade routes connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa."

SOHAR Port and Freezone have played a major role in Oman’s maritime landscape, overseeing 80% of the country’s import and export operations and contributing 2.1% to GDP.

What strategic role can SOHAR Port assume as a major port in the region?

SOHAR Port is strategically positioned as a pivotal regional logistics hub leveraging its prime location at the intersection of key trade routes connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. With robust connectivity to key markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, and those of Southeast Asia, through a well-developed road network and an upcoming railway system, SOHAR Port stands out as a vital link for global commerce. The port’s deep-water jetty enhances its capability to handle large vessels and a diverse range of cargo, setting it apart from other ports in the region. Furthermore, SOHAR Port offers significant advantages under the existing FTAs with the US and Singapore, providing preferential treatment for goods in transit and fostering a conducive business environment within its free zone. The port and free zone also boast well-diversified industries, home to industry leaders like OQ, Vale, Jindal Steel, SPMP and Sanvira Carbon, coupled with world-class operators for all cargo types, reinforces its appeal as a preferred business destination. The collaboration between shareholders, ASYAD Group and Port of Rotterdam under a unified management structure is significantly facilitating an invaluable exchange of knowledge and industry-leading practices, driving enhanced performance and innovative advancements. Embracing sustainability, SOHAR Port actively participates in several environmental initiatives such as the SOHAR Net Zero Alliance, the Qabas Solar project, and biofuel bunkering for tugboats demonstrating its commitment to eco-friendly practices. By championing sustainable operations and aligning with Oman’s carbon neutrality goals for 2050, SOHAR sets a benchmark for environmentally conscious port operations in the region.

How do you balance operational sustainability with meeting requirements for environmental sustainability?

At SOHAR, we are committed to achieving operational sustainability while meeting stringent environmental requirements. Our ambitious targets include reducing CO2 emissions by 2.7% by 2023, followed by 18% by 2024, and 27% by 2025, in line with Oman’s net-zero commitment by 2050. Through the SOHAR Net Zero Alliance, a collaborative platform involving key industrial stakeholders, we focus on fostering a sustainable, carbon-neutral future. This alliance emphasizes partnership, transparency, and inclusiveness to drive initiatives like securing alternative energy sources, promoting green power and green hydrogen utilization, and planning to establish a third-party carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) facility at SOHAR. These efforts are crucial in lowering our carbon footprint and advancing a sustainable industrial ecosystem. To support this transition, we have successfully entered into lease agreements within the free zone, targeting the circular economy sector, securing projects such as a USD1.5-million plastic recycling facility in collaboration with GEMINI Corporation, a USD3.5-million sustainable hazardous waste treatment facility alongside Elite Hazardous Waste Management Solution, and a USD3-million investment in a lead-acid batteries recycling plant with Starsun Sohar. These initiatives showcase our dedication to resource conservation, environmental protection, and global market connectivity through sustainable practices.

How would you assess Oman’s maritime sector, and how do the country’s ports compete with their peers in the region?

Oman’s maritime sector, anchored by SOHAR, stands out as a dynamic and influential industry pivotal to the national economy and regional prominence. Serving as a thriving maritime hub, SOHAR Port epitomizes strategic excellence by effectively catering to global trade and logistics requirements. SOHAR Port and Freezone continues to play a central role in Oman’s maritime landscape, overseeing 80% of the country’s import and export operations and directly contributing 2.1% to Oman’s GDP. This substantial economic contribution is further highlighted by the port’s global trade involvement, with 3,233 ships calling at the port in 2023, showcasing its operational capacity and strategic significance on the international platform. Another key differentiator for the port is its innovative use of biofuel bunkering for tugboat operations, establishing it as a trailblazer in eco-friendly practices within the Middle East. Overall, Oman’s maritime sector thrives on the accomplishments and strategic advancements of SOHAR, positioning it uniquely in the regional maritime landscape.

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