Just four months after its launch, the integrated sea-land logistics corridor linking Sharjah’s ports with Oman’s border crossings has handled AED 1.7 billion (USD 463 million) in cargo, a 66.26 % increase on the same period last year, according to data released on 20 September. More than 34,000 trucks and 32,000 customs declarations were processed between May and August, underscoring demand for alternative Gulf transit routes as traditional lanes face geopolitical headwinds. The corridor connects Sharjah ports to Sohar, Duqm and Salalah via the Khatmat Malaha and Al Madam crossings, offering shippers a choice of two complementary routes. Officials from Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority say 200 new importer codes have been registered, with traffic ranging from industrial equipment to foodstuffs and vehicle parts. For multinationals running just-in-time Gulf supply chains, the model reduces border dwell times by synchronising port-handling and customs-clearance data. Freight forwarders report end-to-end savings of 12–18 hours compared with traditional trans-shipment through Jebel Ali. The corridor is also drawing interest from African exporters seeking a reliable gateway to Middle-East markets. Phase 2 will court major shipping lines and third-party logistics players, adding value-added services such as bonded warehousing and cold-chain facilities. Officials hinted at digital green-lane trials using blockchain to pre-clear documentation—an initiative that could serve as a template for wider GCC customs harmonisation.
