Amid growing tensions in the Persian Gulf, concerns over India's energy supplies and business activities have intensified. In this situation, the port of Sohar in Oman has attracted significant attention as it could serve as an alternative route for India to access the Gulf if shipping in the Strait of Hormuz area is disrupted for an extended period.
The Port of Sohar is located on the coast of Oman in the Gulf of Oman. Its key advantage lies in its location outside the narrowest part of the Strait of Hormuz. Cargo arriving there can be transported both by sea and by land transport. Furthermore, planned railway connections between Oman and the UAE in the future may help integrate Sohar with the Gulf's major markets.
Growth of Freight Transport Between India and Sohar
Following the start of the crisis in the Middle East, feeder maritime traffic between India and Sohar has increased approximately fourfold. Some cargo that previously went directly by large vessels to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries now first arrives in Oman and is then delivered by land transport.
Over $30 billion has already been invested in the Port of Sohar and its free zone. The port's annual throughput exceeds 72 million tons. In the first six months of 2026, container traffic here increased by 40%, reaching 545 thousand TEUs.
Sohar as a Route for Saudi Oil
Sohar's significance is not limited to Indian cargo. Saudi Arabia is also exploring options for transporting crude oil through this port. Houthi attacks linked to Iran have affected Saudi Arabia's pipeline connecting the country's eastern oil-producing areas to Yanbu in the Red Sea. Currently, Saudi Arabia is transferring crude oil from one tanker to another near Sohar. It is planned to ship about 60 million barrels of crude oil this way in September and October.
Gulf Integration Through Road-Rail Network
Preparations are also underway to deliver goods from Sohar to Saudi Arabia via land routes. Companies from Oman and Saudi Arabia have signed an agreement to activate the Green Land Corridor. Moreover, after the establishment of a railway connection between Oman and the UAE, Sohar's potential to connect to the vast logistics network of the Gulf could be significantly strengthened.
For India, Sohar's importance goes beyond just being a port. In the event of heightened tensions around Hormuz, this port could provide Indian businesses with an alternative entry point into the Gulf markets. The future significance of this port will depend on the development of the regional situation and the expansion of this new logistics infrastructure.