Oman-based Simon Engineering & Partners has been awarded a RO2.89-million ($7.48 million) consultancy contract for the redevelopment of the Salalah Port’s existing general cargo terminal (GCT), said a report.

With construction under way on a new GCT, the old terminal is proposed to be redeveloped to attract new greenfield investments that will capitalise on Salalah’s strategic location overlooking the Indian Ocean, reported the Oman Observer.

Simon Engineering & Partners is a group company of Omani multidisciplinary engineering services firm HMR Environmental Engineering Consultants.

As per the contract, the company will provide design services to redevelop the existing terminal for meeting the future operational demands from the import and export business at the port.

Once redesigned, rehabilitated and modernised, the old terminal is expected to open up opportunities for investment in an array of new ventures at the transshipment and logistics hub, including tank storage facilities, oil jetty, limestone stockyard, and even dedicated berths for coal and iron ore, stated the report.

Around $143 million is being invested in the development of the terminal designed to cater to surging limestone, gypsum, cement, grain and other general cargo volumes being handled at Salalah Port, it added.