Doha-based Qatar Navigation (Milaha) is shifting its regional trans-shipment hub from Dubai to the Omani port of Sohar.
The move comes in times of a diplomatic crisis which erupted between Qatar and several of its Middle East neighbors in early June causing some trade disruptions.
Milaha said Monday it launched in-country operations in Oman initially setting up warehousing and 3PL services within the Sohar Free Zone, while it continues to explore further expansion in Oman.
Milaha, which owns a 30 percent stake in Qatar’s LNG shipping giant Nakilat, currently calls 2 ports in Oman, namely Sohar and Salalah, and 3 ports in India – Nhava Sheva, Mundra, and Kandla.
Milaha’s logistics setup in Oman “will provide excellent opportunities for local, regional, and international importers and exporters, and will increase options to access the lucrative Qatari market,” the company said.