SOHAR secures six industrial and logistics leases for over US$163 million in investment

SOHAR Freezone in Oman has signed six land-lease agreements covering more than 440,000 square metres and over US$163 million in planned investment. Announced on 8 November 2026, the projects span automotive industries, transformers, medical devices, textile reuse and logistics.

The agreements were signed at a ceremony organised by the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), linking new industrial activity with SOHAR’s maritime gateway.

Which projects are covered by the agreements?

The largest development is an automotive and advanced-industries park established by EW Partners. Its first phase envisages approximately 180,000 square metres of factories, workshops and warehouses.

Five Star will serve markets including Angola, Congo and Tanzania. Volt Power and Lighting will connect Asian suppliers with African buyers. Commissioning dates and production capacities were not specified.

What operating base will support the investments?

The leases follow substantial growth in SOHAR’s cargo activity during the first half of 2026. In its August performance update, the operator reported throughput of 52 million metric tonnes, up 52% from the corresponding period a year earlier.

Container handling increased 40% to 545,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), primarily supported by higher transshipment activity. Breakbulk volumes nearly doubled to 1.24 million tonnes, while ship-to-ship cargo handling reached 24.38 million tonnes.

The port recorded 1,555 vessel calls during the period. Although dry-bulk volumes moderated, the results showed growth across several other cargo categories.

SOHAR Freezone separately signed five investment contracts worth OMR226.47 million during the first half. Leased warehouse space reached approximately 37,000 square metres, an increase of 19% year-on-year. These earlier figures provide context for the latest agreements and should not be combined with them as a single investment announcement.

How does the expansion connect with wider port development?

SOHAR Port and Freezone is a 50:50 joint venture between Asyad Group and the Port of Rotterdam. Its integrated structure brings industrial tenants and logistics operations together with port access.

A separate development announced on 29 June 2026 involves Asyad Group and CMA CGM. The companies signed a framework agreement to develop, manage and operate a US$400 million multipurpose logistics terminal at Sohar.

That partnership is intended to expand integrated logistics services, strengthen connections with international shipping networks and support additional regional trade flows. The agreement was signed during Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s official visit to France.

SOHAR’s location outside the Strait of Hormuz is another feature of its role in regional distribution. Asyad identifies the port as a gateway serving trade routes between Europe and Asia.

The terminal proposal and new industrial leases address different parts of the supply chain: maritime handling infrastructure and the businesses that manufacture, store or distribute goods. Their eventual contribution to cargo throughput will depend on construction, commissioning and commercial operations. The latest lease announcement establishes planned investment commitments, rather than completed facilities or realised cargo volumes.