SOHAR Port and Freezone: Key Catalyst in Oman’s Diversification Strategy for Investors and Entrepreneurs
مسقط: SOHAR Port and Freezone recently hosted its annual Business Reception, uniting senior government officials, investors, and partners to commemorate six years of economic restructuring under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. This period highlights the steady implementation of Oman Vision 2040, showcasing SOHAR as a prime example of this national transformation. As a fully integrated port and free zone, it is strategically positioned at the nexus of trade, industrial policy, and investment reform, serving as a vital platform for diversification, connectivity, and local content creation.
Since 2019, SOHAR’s performance has aligned closely with Oman’s broader reform agenda. The port’s annual throughput surged from 62 million metric tonnes to an anticipated 72 million metric tonnes by the end of 2025, indicative of increased trade volumes, enhanced integration into global supply chains, and growing confidence among international shipping lines and industrial operators. Vessel calls rose from 3,144 to 3,427, further solidifying SOHAR’s status as a reliable regional and international gateway.
Investment trends have mirrored this positive trajectory. In 2025 alone, SOHAR secured $968 million in new commitments across eight agreements, leasing 76 hectares within the port and free zone. These initiatives are designed for the long term, focusing on exports and aligning with national priorities centered around industrial diversification.
For SOHAR’s leadership, the past six years signify a structural rather than cyclical shift. Emile Hoogsteden, CEO of SOHAR Port, emphasized, “SOHAR Port and Freezone continues to cultivate an integrated logistics and industrial ecosystem that bolsters trade and industrial development while enhancing the long-term resilience of supply chains. This growth is a product of strategic planning and sustained investment in infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on reliability and sustainability. As we expand, our responsibility increases to ensure safe and balanced growth and to prepare for more complex supply chains, cleaner energy, and higher-value industries that yield lasting national benefits.”
This alignment with Oman’s macroeconomic indicators has become increasingly evident. In 2025, SOHAR Freezone achieved third place globally in fDi Intelligence’s free zone index, and Oman regained its investment-grade status.
Furthermore, SOHAR has actively sought to anchor its growth within the local community. In 2025, its corporate social responsibility initiatives reached nearly 50,000 beneficiaries, focusing on education, skills development, healthcare support, and environmental programs, thereby integrating industrial growth with the needs of surrounding communities.
Eng Raid al Rubaiey, CEO of SOHAR Freezone and Deputy CEO of SOHAR Port, remarked, “The investment flowing into SOHAR reflects confidence in Oman’s reform trajectory and institutional stability under Oman Vision 2040. The projects established here are long-term and resonate with national priorities around diversification, exports, and domestic value. SOHAR functions as a national platform for inclusive and future-ready growth, strengthened by close collaboration between government, industry, and the broader community.”
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The ongoing transformation at SOHAR Port and Freezone signals فرصتهای قابل توجه برای کسب و کارها در عمان looking to align with national priorities under Oman Vision 2040. With a notable increase in investment and throughput, smart investors should focus on long-term, export-oriented projects that enhance local content and sustainability while leveraging the port’s growing reliability in global supply chains. Nonetheless, this also presents risks for those hesitant to adapt, as the region’s industrial landscape increasingly shifts towards high-value and sustainable practices.
