Oman Customs has announced that the sultanate’s ports have been ranked the world’s fastest for their speed of container handling by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

According to the UNCTAD annual index for 2020, container vessels stayed on average just 12.5 hours in Oman’s ports.

The UNCTAD report affirmed that Oman has demonstrated  success in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic by facilitating maritime trade and transforming cargo clearance through electronic transactions.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its emerging challenges, Asyad said it put in place new dynamic and resilient working systems to ensure the continuity of the logistics sectors and uninterrupted operation of Oman’s ports as they remain open to all shipping routes. 

‘A flexible and highly efficient contingency plan was devised and enacted in 2020 to fight the spread of coronavirus in the workplace, set the necessary prevention measures for handling all vessels, safely carry out maritime pilotage operations without close contact between pilots and crews, notify all shipping agents to submit IMO-approved COVID-19 medical disclosures, and enact container disinfection protocols when unloading containers and before shipping or delivery,’ Asyad said.

In a further push to minimise the risk of contact and virus transmission, Asyad looked towards the latest technological solutions to digitise all commercial transactions, protecting customers and saving them time and effort. 

Such digitisation, undertaken with Asyad’s strategic partners, is aligned with SOLS 2040 objective to create an enhanced digital logistics community to serve as a pillar in the country’s economy.

In 2020, Oman’s ports showed outstanding performance and boasted exceptional numbers as their business grew by five per cent and managed to effectively maintain readiness and ensure consistent operations. 

‘After signing the Neptune Declaration to prevent exposing seafarers to extended periods at sea, Asyad’s fleet continued its operations reaching different ports across the globe armed with competent and experienced crews equipped to handle all medical and safety-related emergencies.’