Oman-based Marafi, an Aysad Group subsidiary, and Qatar’s Dolphin Integrated have signed a shareholders’ agreement to develop an aggregate terminal at Sohar Port, a media report said.

The proposed terminal with a loading capacity of approximately 8 million tonnes per year will enable large-volume export of gabbro, a coarse-grained rock used in asphalt and other minerals, reported Muscat Daily.

The project will be developed in two phases. The hybrid phase will facilitate aggregate exports by the end of 2018, and the permanent phase equipped with state-of-the-art stacker-reclaimer system, conveyor and semi-automated ship loaders will be commissioned in 2020.

The terminal capacity will be increased after the completion of the permanent phase to 12 million tonnes per annum, the report said.