Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar) has launched new direct shipping services to Oman's Sohar Port, in a bid to avoid the recent blockade imposed on the country by other Gulf nations.
The United Arab Emirates and several other Arab countries severed diplomatic, travel and trade links with Qatar last week, condemning the country for its alleged support of the Iranian regime and funding of Islamist militants.
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Qatar has since denied that claims made against it by the Arab countries.
The decision to open new routes is expected to ensure the continued importation of food supplies, project cargoes and others goods to Qatar, which has historically been hugely dependent of food imports, the New York Times reported.
Mwani Qatar said in a press conference: “In light of the recent developments in the region, Mwani Qatar and its partners have ensured the business continuity of its ports and shipping operations in and out of Qatar to mitigate the impact of actions that may affect the imports and exports to and from the country.”
The new shipping services will run three times a week between Qatar's Hamad Port and Sohar port in Oman.
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By GlobalDataHamad Port director Abdul Yafei said: “Mwani Qatar assures that business continues to progress at all its ports and our partners have added new services from around the world that will boost our regional and global trade.”
A total of 12 direct calls per month to Hamad Port from Sohar port have been added as part of the newly announced services.
Image: New shipping routes between Oman’s Sohar Port and Hamad Portin Qatar. Photo: courtesy of Ministry of Transport and Communications.
