Muscat – The Port of Salalah recorded strong growth in container and general cargo volumes in the first half of 2026, supported by higher vessel calls and increased dry bulk throughput.

The port’s Container Terminal handled 2.33mn TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) during the first six months of 2026, compared with 2.03mn TEUs in the corresponding period of 2025, representing a 15% increase.

Salalah Port Services Company, which operates and manages the port, attributed the increase in container throughput to a rise in the number of vessel calls, according to its financial report submitted to the Muscat Stock Exchange.

General cargo volumes also recorded solid growth during the period. The port’s General Cargo Terminal handled 14.04mn metric tonnes in the first half of 2026, up from 12.91mn metric tonnes in the same period a year earlier, an increase of 9%. Salalah Port Services Company attributed the growth primarily to higher dry bulk throughput.

Despite the strong growth in volumes, Salalah Port Services Company’s profitability came under pressure during the period. Consolidated revenue rose to RO50.73mn in the first half of 2026 from RO42.42mn in the same period of 2025, supported by higher volumes at both the Container and General Cargo terminals.

However, consolidated net profit fell sharply to RO0.24mn from RO2.48mn a year earlier.

Looking ahead to the third quarter, Salalah Port Services Company expects cargo demand to remain strong. The company said the strategic Gemini partnership is also expected to provide greater stability to transshipment volumes at the Port of Salalah.

Amid continued uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, Salalah Port Services Company said the Port of Salalah is well positioned to benefit from potential cargo diversions as shipping lines consider alternative routing options.

‘These developments are expected to strengthen the port’s role as a key regional transshipment hub while supporting operational resilience and growth,’ the company said.

Salalah Port Services Company added that it was holding regular meetings with Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and Asyad to strengthen coordination and enhance logistics operations in response to ongoing regional challenges.

The company noted that the container shipping market in the Middle East continues to face significant volatility amid escalating regional conflicts.

‘Through close collaboration with key stakeholders, the Port of Salalah remains focused on maintaining operational resilience, optimising cargo flows, and responding proactively to evolving market conditions,’ Salalah Port Services Company said.