Oman Logistics Company, a wholly government-owned entity, plans to award a licence for the operation and management of its ‘dry port’ project before the end of this year, said a report.

Oman Logistics Company is overseeing the implementation of ‘Khazaen’ — the Sultanate’s flagship integrated logistics hub in South Al Batinah Governorate.

The selection of an operator for the initiative, which will be the first inland port in the sultanate, is in the final stages, Ahmed al Azkawi, acting CEO of Oman Logistics Company, was quoted as saying in an Oman Daily Observer report.

He said that a lease agreement with a dry port operator will be signed before the end of the year.

Azkawi added that the process is in the final stages, and are currently discussing the terms of the agreement.

Khazaen is a first-of-its-kind development designed to position the sultanate as a logistics gateway for the wider region. The project, covering an area of 95 sq km, is coming up at the intersection of the Barka-Nakhl Road and the Muscat — Batinah Expressway route.

The dry port project, which forms part of the Block 1 development of the logistics hub, will serve as a midway point for containerised and general cargo flows between Muscat and Sohar Port and Freezone, added the report.