The multi-modal service from Salalah connecting to the Saudi Port of Jeddah offers a new opportunity for traders and logistics operators to reduce transit times and costs, and build in flexibility to supply chains.
Port of Salalah, located in Oman, has launched a multi-modal service connecting to the Saudi Port of Jeddah as an alternative to rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope. Through this new service, the port provides an in-transit overland route by truck to Jeddah, located in the safer mid-point of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia. This overland route takes approximately 4-5 days and connects by container vessel through the Suez Canal to Europe or the US East Coast, reducing the overall transit time under the current routing.
The Port of Salalah emphasizes that its multi-modal service can reduce transit times by an estimated 20-40% compared to traditional east-west trade routes and provide a cost saving of 10-20% compared to a pure air-freight solution. With its availability in storage, the port can also be used to build in flexibility to supply chains and offer customer-designed intermodal solutions.
Recently, the port teamed up with Maersk, Oman Airports, and Transom to introduce several sea-air solutions via the Port of Salalah, which are currently gaining momentum with steady movements.
Salalah is a strategic port city on the Arabian Sea coast of Oman, with a population of around 350,000 people. It is a popular tourist destination due to its pleasant climate and beautiful beaches. The city is also known for the Salalah Festival that takes place from July to August, famous for its green landscape and the khareef, a seasonal monsoon that brings rain to the southern coastal regions of the country.
