Sharjah Eases Oman Freight Costs Through Toll Waiver Arabian Post

The corridor connects Sharjah with Sohar Port, Duqm Port and Salalah Port, with Sohar serving as the closest Omani maritime gateway to the UAE. Khatmat Malaha's proximity to Sohar gives traders a shorter land-sea route for cargo moving between Omani ports, Sharjah's industrial zones and broader UAE markets. The inclusion of Al Madam adds another channel for freight operators, improving route flexibility and reducing dependence on a single crossing.

The toll waiver is expected to lower operating expenses for transport firms, importers, exporters and re-export businesses using the corridor. Truck tolls form part of routine logistics costs, and removing them on approved routes gives freight operators a direct saving at a time when regional supply chains are being reshaped by higher insurance costs, fuel price volatility and pressure on shipping schedules.

Sharjah's approach combines road transport relief with customs facilitation. The corridor allows direct customs clearance at designated border crossings, reducing duplicated procedures and unnecessary handling. Faster documentation, pre-clearance processes and coordinated supervision are intended to shorten delivery times for goods moving between ports, warehouses, free zones and end markets.

The initiative also fits into Sharjah's wider logistics strategy. The emirate has ports on both the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, giving it an unusual geographic advantage within the UAE's freight network. Port Khalid, Hamriyah Port and Khorfakkan Port support cargo, industrial and re-export activity, while Sharjah's free zones serve companies engaged in manufacturing, food trade, metals, automotive parts, machinery, consumer goods and regional distribution.

Oman is becoming more important to UAE supply chains as companies seek alternative maritime and overland routes across the Gulf. Sohar, Duqm and Salalah have expanded their role in container, bulk and industrial cargo, supported by Oman's investment in port infrastructure, special economic zones and road connectivity. For UAE-based traders, access to Omani ports offers additional options for imports, re-exports and onward movement to the Indian Ocean, East Africa and Asian markets.

Trade data underscores the commercial logic behind the corridor. Oman's non-oil exports rose to nearly RO6.7 billion in 2025, while the UAE ranked as Oman's leading destination for non-oil exports, receiving goods worth more than RO1.31 billion. The UAE also accounted for 35.2 per cent of Oman's re-export trade, valued at RO724 million, while Omani merchandise imports from the UAE exceeded RO4.1 billion. These flows point to deepening commercial integration and rising demand for faster border movement.

For Sharjah, the toll exemption could strengthen the emirate's competitiveness against other regional logistics hubs by reducing friction for cargo operators. Lower costs and simpler movement may encourage manufacturers and trading houses to route more shipments through Sharjah's ports and free zones, particularly where cargo is linked to Oman's Sohar, Duqm or Salalah gateways.

Freight companies are likely to assess the waiver alongside other cost factors, including fuel, driver time, customs processing, warehousing, port charges and delivery reliability. The benefit will be strongest for regular corridor users whose shipments qualify under the approved route system. Operators outside the designated routes or without proper registration will not automatically gain from the exemption.