It is reported that the second unit of Vale Oman's palletizing plant at the Port of Sohar is due to come on stream before the end of 2011, taking the giant project’s capacity from 4.5 million tonnes per annum to well over 9 million tonnes per annum.

Mr Marcelo Figueiredo portfolio director, in charge of Vale projects and business development in Oman and Malaysia, said that "By December 2011, the second line will be operational, which will produce more than 5 million tonnes per annum. Although nominal capacity of the palletizing plant is 9 million tonnes per annum, we’re aiming at an optimized capacity of 10 million tonnes per annum.”

Mr Figueiredo was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of celebrations marking the arrival of Vale Oman’s first ultra large ore carrier at its newly commissioned deepwater jetty at the Port of Sohar. MV Vale Brazil, laden to capacity with a staggering 400,000 tonnes of Brazilian iron ore, arrived last week on its maiden voyage to Oman.

Mr Figueiredo said that Vale Oman's confidence in the viability of Phase 2 stems from the fact that almost all of its Phase 1 capacity of 9 million tonnes per annum is already committed to long term buyers.

Meanwhile, Vale Oman expects between 200 and 400 ship calls annually at its deepwater jetty covering both the import and export facets of its palletizing business at Sohar. Around 10 ore laden ships have called at the terminal since it was brought into operation in July.

(Sourced from www.omanobserver.om)