Oman’s Port of Duqm plans to appoint a consultancy firm to assist in the proposed transformation of the gateway into a ‘smart port’, characterised by automated terminals, truck appointment systems, integrated port community systems, use of big data, and so on, said a report.

To this end, the first of many tenders will be floated early next year for the appointment of a consultant to assist in the implementation of smart projects at the port, a key port executive, was quoted as saying in an Oman Daily Observer report.

Talal Al Barwani, sales and marketing specialist, said that in line with global trends, they are trying to have a smart port where, through an app for example, to link all of the agents, custom, shippers and so on, which will facilitate the easier flow of trucks and goods through the port.

He added that in 2018, the port is appointing a consultant to start on the smart projects.

Al Barwani further noted that they are travelling to ports around the world to see some of the best innovations which can be brought down to Duqm and can help facilitate traffic and goods flows.

Key considerations in its upgrade into a ‘smart port’ include the roll-out of a Port Community System (PCS) that seeks to link all stakeholders — customs, agents, shippers and so on — into one online system.

Also envisioned are truck appointment systems to improve productivity and efficiency, automatic gate control, terminal automation to reduce human / machine interface, crane automation, trunk radio communication, and use of big data for efficiency and optimisation.

The port aims to float a consultancy tender — aimed at aligning all of the stakeholders, examining best practices, as well as preparing tender documents — in the first quarter of 2018. A contract award is slated during the second quarter of the year, added the report.