Link final Feb 2016 | Page 16

Ports News manufacturers a more sustainable form of transport: “We are proud to be a part of this historic and innovative intra-costal shipment of Indian automobiles, serving India’s growing automotive industry with safe, and environmentally sustainable logistics alternatives,” commented APM Terminals Pipavav managing director Keld Pedersen. The Royal Decree designated the Ras Markaz area’s development project as a public utility project. The aim of the project is to support and realise the future goals of the Omani economy including the diversification of the national income. The project’s most important components include setting APM said the Indian government up of warehouses for storage is studying modal shift incentives and export of crude oil which for companies to switch domestic would enhance the bencargo from road to sea in order efit from crude oil trade secto reduce costs, road conges- tor thereby boosting benefit tion and diesel-related emissions. from the related industries. This goal can be achieved The country is expected to overtake by exploiting the location Japan as the world’s leading pro- and cutting cost of producducer of entry-level automobiles tion, thus boosting revenues by 2021 – growing its market share from the oil sector as well as from 20 percent to 28 percent. In- enhancing the added value dia’s consumers are expected to of the natural depths of the buy 2.2 million new cars this year. Arabian Sea and linking the commercial interests of comAPM Terminals Pipavav is India’s panies operating in oil profirst Public Private Partnership port duction and marketing sector. in the country and serves as a gateway for the movement of contain- The Special Economic Zone ers, bulk, liquid and cars to the Gu- Authority at Duqm (SEZAD) has accorded special attention jarat region and the North of India. to the project due to its socioeconomic value. In October last year, Oman Tank Terminal Company (OTTCO), an DUQM ZONE SET FOR MAJOR EXPANSION T he Sultanate has expanded the total area of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm to 2,000 square kilometres from 1,745 square kilometres to accommodate oil storage activities at the Ras Markaz area which was included in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm as per the Royal Decree No 5/2016 issued on January 28. 16 February 2016 Oman Oil Company (OIC) subsidiary, finalised the initial designs for the crude oil storage terminal at Ras Markaz area and it will be built in phases, the first of which is expected to be completed and operated in coincidence with the launch of Duqm refinery. The Ras Markaz crude oil termin [