PORT OF SALALAH WELCOMES MAIDEN VESSEL CALL FOR OCTAL
December 14, 2008

SALALAH — MT Yanaseni, a 114-metre-long bulk carrier made its maiden call at Port of Salalah delivering 2,000 MT of liquid MEG (Mono Ethylene Glycol) to Octal Petrochemicals. The MEG will be used to manufacture PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and sheet manufacturing at Octal’s new plant at the Salalah Free Zone. Octal Petrochemicals’ production plant was built at an initial cost of $300 million. Total investment is set to rise to as much as $1.2 billion upon completion with net exports expected to reach $1.1 billion by 2011. Currently Octal is investing $50 million in the first liquid chemicals terminal in Salalah. Two 5,000 MT stainless steel tanks will be built at the port and will be used to hold MEG deliveries before it is transported 1.6 km through an underground pipeline to Octal’s main processing plant.

Ali Shamas, General Manager of the Port of Salalah General Cargo Terminal said: “I am delighted to welcome the first MEG vessel to Salalah. The commitment that Octal Petrochemicals has shown to the port and the region with their facilities only serves to demonstrate that Salalah’s excellent geographical location is well suited to grow all types of industry and cargo types well into the future.” George Freiji, Head of Logistics said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved from SGS, GAC, Port of Salalah and Octal for all their efforts that led to a flawlessly executed job. Hopefully, this first milestone will only strengthen the cooperation and partnership between our organizations.”