Oman confirms Port of Salalah concession will not be extended
Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has confirmed that the existing concession agreements for the Port of Salalah will not be extended beyond their contractual expiry date of 1 November 2028.
The decision was disclosed by Salalah Port Services Company SAOG on 18 October 2026, following formal notification from the ministry. According to the company, the authorities described the decision not to extend the agreements as final and unconditional.
In a subsequent public statement, the ministry reaffirmed that port operations and development activities would continue throughout the remaining concession period. Salalah Port Services will therefore remain responsible for operating the port under the existing agreements until their scheduled expiry.
Port operations to continue until November 2028
The ministry stated that the decision forms part of its commitment to the continued development and expansion of the Port of Salalah, while maintaining the continuity of port operations.
Under the existing arrangements, Salalah Port Services will continue operating the facility until 1 November 2028. The ministry and other relevant authorities have confirmed that operational and development activities will proceed during this period.
The clarification establishes that the decision not to renew the concession does not result in an immediate change of operator or interruption of port activities.
The authorities also confirmed that the operator responsible for managing the port following the expiry of the current agreements will be announced in due course.
No successor operator has been identified in the statements, and no timetable for its selection has been disclosed.
Salalah Port Services to assess implications
In its official disclosure, Salalah Port Services said its Board of Directors would review the ministry’s notification and assess the potential implications for the company.
The operator also indicated that it would engage with relevant stakeholders where appropriate and provide further market disclosures regarding material developments in accordance with applicable requirements.
The announcement establishes a defined end date for the current concession arrangements, while leaving the future operating structure of the port to be determined.
Until the expiry of the agreements, Salalah Port Services will continue managing the port, with the ministry maintaining its stated commitment to operational continuity and ongoing development.
The transition to a new operator is expected to take place after the existing concession period ends, although further details have yet to be announced.
