Oman’s Sohar Port is expected to see a surge in exports of gabbro aggregate and related quarry material following investments in new handling capacity as well as dedicated yard space for the temporary storage of this commodity, said a report.

The move will be welcomed by Omani quarry operators, eager to tap into the booming gabbro export market presently centring on Qatar, hosts of the 2022 World Cup football championships, added the Oman Daily Observer report.

Aggregate handling capacity at Sohar Port’s General Cargo Terminal, operated by C Steinweg Oman, was boosted by 50 per cent to 600,000 tonnes/month, up from 400,000 tonnes/months previously, it said.

This capacity is set to be ramped up to one million tonnes/month before the end of this month, while yard space for the storage of the commodity has already been expanded by 30,000 sq m. A further expansion of 50,000 sq m is in the final planning stages.

A top executive of the General Cargo Terminal said that both initiatives will underpin efforts to position Sohar Port as a major distribution hub for gabbro and related construction material in the region, the report added.