SUPREME COUNCIL FOR PLANNING SULTANATE OF OMAN SOUTH Al-BATINAH LOGISTIC HUB Redefining logistics movement in Oman Ahmed Al Azkawi Supreme Council for Planning March 2014 Government of Sultanate of Oman Supreme Council for Planning

BACKGROUND  South Al-Batinah Logistics Hub is a Government initiative to:  Support relocation of commercial cargo from PSQ to Sohar and ease traffic congestion in the Muscat region.  Position Oman as a gateway to the region.  Transform the logistics sector into an economically vibrant sector.  An area of 9000 hectares is reserved for a multifunctional development.  Of which, 2500 hectares are planned for an inland port and warehousing facilities.  Initial construction and commercial discussions to commence in  Full development to be completed by 2030.

SUPREME COUNCIL FOR PLANNING SULTANATE OF OMAN SBLH LOCATION Figure No: 05 South Batinah Logistic Hub

SUPREME COUNCIL FOR PLANNING SULTANATE OF OMAN LOCATION ADVANTAGES Located on the Interface between Muscat Governorate and Al Batinah Region Figure No: 09 High Access Zone due to Batinah Highway, National Rail Network, Rail Yard, Batinah Expressway, Muscat Expressway etc. Proximity to Muscat International Airport, Sultan Qaboos Port and Sohar Port. These Regions comprises 56% of the Oman Population High connectivity between other regions Strategic location connecting to GCC and other parts of Region

SUPREME COUNCIL FOR PLANNING SULTANATE OF OMAN SBLH FUNCTIONS Inland Container Depot (ICD) Transportation and Handling Multimodal Connectivity Rail Sliding and Stacking Truck Terminal Parking and Depot Container Handling and Maintenance Shippers / Transporters Customs Banking / Finance Logistics Service providers: Freight Forwarders/ Custom House Agents/ Courier Light industries Packaging Repackaging/ Palletization Labeling Regionalization/ Manuals Warehousing Commercial developments Residential: Housing Hotel and convention center Entertainment. ICD warehouses INDUSTRIAL COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL/HOTELS

SUPREME COUNCIL FOR PLANNING SULTANATE OF OMAN FLOW NETWORK OF IMPORT /EXPORT CARGO IMPORT DISTRIBUTION EXPORT SBLH-VALUE ADDITION

PROJECT PHASES

Phase 0 8 Wadi line PhLogCom.Res.Ind.Flex

Phase 1 9 PhLogCom.Res.Ind.Flex

Phase 2 10 Unit = hectare PhLogCom.Res.Ind.Flex

Phase 3 11 PhLogCom.Res.Ind.Flex Unit = hectare

 Relocating of some of industrial and logistics/warehousing facilities from Ghala/Wadi Al-Kabir in Muscat. KEY DRIVERS  Support planned shifting of container and general cargo activities from PSQ to Port of Sohar.  Facilitate growth of private sector logistics and industrial activities. Port Sultan Qaboos Ghala Industrial Area  Promote Oman as a Gateway to the region.  Reduce commercial truck related traffic congestion in Muscat Governorate.  Build a state-of-the-art facility, which offers one- stop-shop services to logistics providers and customers

 Socio- Economic:  Creation of direct and indirect jobs.  Business revenues.  Opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SME).  Increase logistics contribution to the GDP.  Environmental benefits:  It can help in shifting the goods movement by road to rail and reduce pollution levels.  Reduce empty containers traffic on the road. SOCIO –ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

CONCLUSIONS WAYFORWARD  The South Al-Batinah Logistics Hub is key in realising the government’s vision to grow logistics into an important sector of its economy and promote Oman as a regional hub.  The project is moving forward steadily with the initial phases planned for construction in  The remaining phases are part of a comprehensive study which is underway.