First Iranian Ship Docks at Oman's Sohar Port
The first cargo ship delivering Iranian goods docked at the Omani port of Sohar, a few weeks after Tehran and Muscat opened a new shipping route. The vessel, titled Genaveh 12, container with a capacity of 96 TEUs, is the first ship put into operation in the new Iran-Oman shipping line, which was opened some two weeks ago. Iran and Oman have recently established a direct shipping line between the two countries to enhance maritime trade. The line will have two sailings per month. According to officials, more vessels will join the line to increase the cycle of maritime transportation. Other ports in both the countries will also be linked in the near future.
UAE Shipping Delegation to Meet with Greek Counterparts
A delegation of Middle East maritime heavyweights including H.E. Khamis Juma Buamim, chairman & group CEO Drydocks World and Maritime World and Rashid Mohammed Al Habsi, the chief executive of Tasneef, will attend the ‘Maritime Transportation of Energy and Mediterranean Ultra Deep Water Exploration’ event in Athens. On the sidelines of the event, the UAE delegation will meet with various industrial groups from Greece including those specialized in shipbuilding, repair and maintenance; maritime transport; ship owners and renewable innovations in ship design industry to explore avenues for mutual growth of the UAE and Greek shipping sectors, says a press release from the company.
Oman's All-Women Crew Make Yacht-race Mark
The Oman on the Al Thuraya Bank Muscat Team team honed their racing skills at the J80 World Championships in Marseilles, France recently. A milestone event for the young Omani crew, who have only been racing together for four months, the J80 Worlds were always going to be a challenge, with a massive fleet of 118 teams, including Iker Martinez, the Olympic 49er gold medallist and Volvo Ocean Race skipper, reports Times of Oman. But the crew adjusted to the frenetic starts and melees around the marks to work their way up the rankings to finish in 31st place in the 59-strong silver fleet.
'Floating Iron-ore Mine' Arrives Oman
'Vale Sohar' docked at Vale's deep-water jetty in the Port of Sohar to unload iron ore on its first voyage from Brazil. The ship, one of the largest bulk carriers in the world with the capacity to transport 400,000 tons of minerals and the length of four football fields, was welcomed to Oman by members of the North Al Batinah community headed by H.E. Sheikh Hilal bin Ali Al Habsi, Wali of Sohar. The two remaining vessels, 'Vale Shinas' and 'Vale Saham' are currently in the final stages of construction and are scheduled to be handed over during the first quarter of 2013.
