These ports have been enabling exports of food items from India to the Gulf in recent weeks, providing relief to both sides, ET has learnt.
India is among the top food suppliers to the GCC countries comprising Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, which import nearly 85% of their food requirements.
Oman’s Sohar port-among the world’s fastest-growing-is home to the country’s first-ever terminal dedicated to handling bulk agricultural products, said officials.
The port, which opened in 2004 and positioned outside the strait, is a 21-million sqm deep-sea hub comprising three established major clusters – logistics, petrochemicals, and metals. More recently, it was joined by a food cluster, which includes Oman’s first-ever terminal dedicated to the handling of agricultural products, officials said. The port is within two weeks sail of all major global ports, enabling swift access to the rapidly growing markets of the GCC, India, and East Africa.
Oman’s Port of Salalah is also being positioned for exports of agricultural and food products from India to the Gulf, officials said. Salalah hosts more than 2,500 vessel calls each year and is one of the fastest-growing port operations worldwide, officials said, adding an advanced wave-dampening system reduces ship movement in port – allowing high-speed container unloading.