Sohar Port Embarks On Clean-Energy Shift For Container Ships

(MENAFN- The Arabian Post) Greenlogue /AP

SOHAR Port and Freezone has inked an agreement with MoonRock and the Danish firm PowerCon to install shore power infrastructure at its container terminal, enabling berthed vessels to plug into onshore electricity and switch off their auxiliary engines-cutting emissions, fuel use and noise pollution while enhancing efficiency.

The ceremony took place during the Gulf Green Mobility Forum, with MoonRock as lead investor and PowerCon providing technical expertise. The initiative aligns with the port's sustainability drive and Oman's long-range ambitions under Vision 2040 and its pledge to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

Dr Abdullah Sulaiman Al Abri, Vice‐President for Sustainability at SOHAR Port and Freezone, described the project as a strategic milestone supporting the nation's environmental and logistics objectives. He emphasised that the initiative bolsters competitiveness while reinforcing Oman's position as a forward‐looking logistics hub.

By offering shore power, the project aims to attract global carriers intent on reducing their environmental footprint and meeting International Maritime Organization mandates such as the Carbon Intensity Indicator and Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index. Analysts note that cold ironing solutions are increasingly regarded as essential for ports targeting cleaner operations and heightened regulatory compliance.

The initiative also supports SOHAR's evolution as a cutting‐edge multifunctional port serving logistics, petrochemicals, metals, agribulk and other sectors; it currently contributes significantly to the Omani economy and through the Freezone fosters green industry synergies. With throughput reaching tens of millions of tonnes annually, the port's integration of shore power represents a notable investment in both environmental stewardship and operational modernisation.

Regional and industry observers highlight that adopting shore power infrastructure may also strengthen SOHAR's appeal among shipping lines, particularly those under growing pressure to decarbonise. In a competitive Gulf logistics landscape, this clean-energy offering could differentiate the port effectively.

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Technical implementation phases have not been detailed publicly, but MoonRock and PowerCon are expected to spearhead deployment design and rollout. PowerCon, with expertise in electrified port systems, will likely tailor solutions to surrounding grid capacity, vessel types and operational demands. MoonRock's role as principal financier underscores the commercial confidence in environmentally oriented infrastructure.

As Oman intensifies efforts to transition toward sustainable growth, this project serves as a tangible illustration of policy meeting practice. It dovetails with environmental policies and delivers operational value, positioning SOHAR Port and Freezone as a pioneering node in maritime green logistics.

Plans to expand the scope of shore power provision to additional terminals or integrate renewable energy sources into the grid connection are being watched closely. The success of this project could catalyse wider adoption of cold ironing across the region, prompting regional peers to consider comparable strategies.

via Greenlogue

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