Salalah Port upgrade continues with delivery of Megamax cranes

Oman's ability to handle the world's largest container ships has been boosted by the delivery of four huge Megamax cranes at the Port of Salalah.

Salalah occupies a strategic location on the path of global shipping lines linking East and West. The arrival of the advanced equipment will speed up deliveries and so reduce the distance between the world's ports.

Keld Christensen, CEO of Salalah Port, said: “The port received four huge Megamax container cranes which are the first batch of a total of ten cranes, each of which can reach a height of up to 58 meters and a reach of 75 meters.”

He added: “These are among the largest container cranes in the world and adopt new standards in terms of size and capacity. The container terminal in Salalah Port features a long berth of 2,197 meters, a draft of 18 meters, and a current design capacity of five million metric tons.”

Mr Christensen said the new cranes were part of a terminal upgrade project. On completion in the first quarter of 2025, Salalah will have an increased capacity of six million twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) and a better ability to meet the evolving requirements of the maritime industry.

Mr Christensen said the arrival of the cranes was a pivotal point in enhancing global trade connectivity and the port's infrastructure. The upgrade would improve maritime services provided through strategic partners to enable the port to become a major gateway for international trade.

The cranes will significantly strengthen Salalah Port's position as a global maritime hub. The Megamax terminal is expected to attract the biggest names in the industry and enhance Oman's position as a major player dealing with the largest container ships in the world.