The quantity of cargo unloaded and loaded at Mina Sultan Qaboos and Salalah ports amounted to 889,5 tons during January 2008 compared to 569,3 tons during the corresponding period in 2007, constituting a 56.2% rise. A bulletin released by the Ministry of National Economy attributed the overall growth in the quantities of goods handled at the two ports to the rise in loaded and unloaded goods at Mina Sultan Qaboos by 73.3% to 564,3 tons by the end of Jan. 2008 as against 325,6 tons during the corresponding period in 2007.
According to ONA, Goods handled at Salalah port went up in terms of quantity by 33.4% by the end of Jan. 2008 to 325,2 tons against 243,7 tons during the corresponding period in 2007. Foodstuff items, building and construction materials and vehicles were among the most important cargo handled at the two ports.
The bulletin indicated that a total of 262 ships called at the two ports by the end of Jan. 2008, reflecting a 40.9% increase against 186 vessels during the corresponding period in 2007. The number of vessels which anchored at Mina Sultan Qaboos rose by 53% to 205 ships by the end of January 2008, against 134 ships during the corresponding period in 2007, while the number of vessels anchored at Salalah port rose by 9.6% to 57 ships, as against 52 ships during the corresponding period in 2007.
