Nine local and international consortiums led by leading port and logistic services providers, are in the race to prequalify for a high-profile contract to operate and manage (O&M) Oman’s first ever dry port, said a report.

This facility to be set up initially on an area of 30 hectares, is the centrepiece of South Al Batinah Logistics Area (Sabla) - an ambitious logistics hub being developed by Oman in South Al Batinah Governorate, said the report in the Oman Observer.

Spread over 9,500 hectares, the Sabla aims to facilitate the growth of private sector logistics and industrial activities, reduce empty container traffic on the road, and ease commercial truck related traffic congestion in the Muscat Governorate.

Conceived as a full-service inland port, the dry port is designed to serve as a midway point for Sohar Port and other points of entry into the sultanate, it stated.

Equipped with customs bonded services, ample capacity, and eventual connectivity with the Muscat-Batinah Expressway and GCC rail, the dry port will be ideally positioned to serve the needs of shippers and logistics service providers, said the report.

PricewaterhouseCoopers has been roped in to assist in the tendering process, it added.