SECTION (5) - PORT OPERATIONS
5. The Cargo Details
The Owner, agent or master of the vessel intending to call Port Salalah for discharging or loading of cargo, should notify the Port Authority at least 72 hours prior to the arrival of the vessel with details including the nature and quantities of the cargo to be discharged or loaded, in addition to other important information related to the vessel, its crew or passengers.
6. Berthing Priority
Vessels will be berthed for cargo operation on order of their arrival time unless the Port Authority decides otherwise. Cargo operations shall be carried out under the responsibility of the master of the vessel.
7. Cargo Documentation (The Manifest)
Manifest and details of the cargo in English shall be prepared and certified by the vessel’s Owner, agent, or master in accordance with Oman Customs rules and the requirement of the port operations. The manifest must be presented to port operations before arrival of the vessel. A certified statement of any alterations or amendments to the original manifest shall be submitted to the port operations immediately upon completion of cargo operation.
8. The Owner, agent, or master of the vessel must present upon demand a bank guarantee or certificate or any other document in connection with port dues or charges for the vessel cargo operation.
9. It is strictly prohibited for any vessel to start cargo operation before being properly berthed.
10. The master shall allow the Port Authority to inspect and test the cargo handling gear and to inspect its certificates at any time.
11. Adequate Lighting
The master of the vessel undergoing cargo operation must prepare and maintain adequate lighting at all work places in the vessel.
12. Cargo Operation
(a) The master must prepare his vessel for starting cargo operation at the time agreed upon with the Port Authority. In case the master fails to do so, the Port Authority may take whatever action it deems necessary on the account and responsibility of the vessel. The master must also ensure that the cargo hatches and holds at all levels are protected and guarded at all times.
(b) The Port Authority shall carry out cargo operation whether by itself or through third parties.
(c) The Port Authority or its representative shall provide labour and equipment for cargo operation on the vessel. It is the master of the vessel responsibility to ensure such operation is carried out onboard his vessel safely.
13. Improper Storage of Cargo
The Owner, agent, or master of the vessel shall be held responsible for any loss or damage due to improper storage of cargo onboard and shall bear all consequences relating thereto.
14. Cargo and Equipment That Fall From The Ship
In case any cargo or equipment falls overboard, the master should inform the Port Authority immediately and he should recover the cargo or equipment immediately.
The Port Authority may recover such cargo or equipment at the cost and responsibility of the vessel.
The Port Authority shall not be held responsible for any damage or loss that might be sustained by such cargo or equipment.
15. Drinking Water and Toilets
The master of the vessel carrying out cargo operation must provide the Port workers who are working on his Ship with drinking water and provide suitable toilet facilities for them.
16. Defective or Damaged Equipment and Machinery
It is strictly prohibited for any person to use any defective or damaged equipment, ropes or cranes for handling cargo. The Port Authority or its appointed person, may conduct inspections of such cargo handling gear and he may stop their usage.
17. Receipt of Cargo
The Port Authority shall provide the required services for receiving of cargo in the port.
18. The Rate of Cargo Loading or Discharge
The Port Authority may withdraw cargo handling services from any vessel which has any obstacles preventing loading and discharging at the rate the Port Authority deems proper. This vessel, after the Port Authority notifies the master in writing of these obstacles, may also lose its turn in working its cargo. Moreover, the Port Authority may issue its instructions to the vessel to leave the berth immediately.
19. Accumulation of Cargo on The Port Quays
In case of accumulation of cargo on the quay, or on barges for whatever reason, the Port Authority may instruct the vessel to stop or reduce the speed or rate of discharging of such cargo.
20. The Port Authority may reject discharging of any cargo or goods until suitable place, store or open storage area is arranged.
21. Receipt of Cargo By The Port Authority
No cargo or goods will be considered received by the Port Authority except after the issuance of an official receipt to the master of the vessel which discharged these cargo or goods or to the agent of the vessel or any other legally authorized person to transport these cargo or goods to or from the Port. The Port Authority shall not be responsible for confirming that all parts of a Shipment, consignment or goods packages set out in the bill of lading have been discharged in the Port or loaded on board of a vessel before this vessel departed or a difference in the weight or measurement of such packages from those set out in the bill of lading or any invoice or any other document related to these cargo, Shipments, or goods. In the case of containers that contain goods which may not be easily and accurately identified at the time of loading or unloading, the official receipt issued in this regard will indicate the number of the units only and the Port Authority will not be held responsible for the inappropriateness of the items contained in these goods or packages or claimed to be contained inside these units.
22. Responsibility For Damaged Goods
If it appears to the Port Authority that there are damaged goods or packages, it may instruct the Owner, master or agent of the vessel to immediately deliver these goods or packages and the Port Authority will not be held responsible for these goods, packages or their contents under any circumstances.
23. Direct Delivery of Valuable, Perishable Cargo, or Livestock
The master may directly deliver to the consignee any valuable items such as gold, diamonds, valuable properties, or perishable goods and livestock which are imported in a legal manner and properly manifested provided that all required procedures were fulfilled and all necessary official approvals were obtained.
24. Special Storage Cargo
The master, Owner or agent shall notify the Port Authority 24 hours prior to the unloading of cargo that requires special storage. This notification shall include the details of the marks, numbers, quantities and specifications of this cargo as well as the full name and contact numbers of the consignee.
25. Delivery of Goods
Goods shall be delivered from storage in the port premises to the consignee or to their duly authorized representatives only against a delivery order signed by the vessel’s owner or his agent and after payment of all port charges on such goods and after release by Customs and Health authorities.
26. Goods Harmful or Injurious To Health
The Port Authority may order any vessel to leave the Port if it appears that it is carrying unhealthy, harmful or rotten goods. In case the vessel has already discharged these goods, the consignee shall immediately take these goods outside the Port after obtaining the approval of the concerned authorities. If the consignee fails or denies his responsibility for these goods or the Port Authority fails to locate him, the master, Owner or agent of the vessel shall immediately remove these goods out of the Port. However, if the consignee, master, Owner or agent of the vessel refuses, fails or neglects to carry out the Port Authority’s instructions, the Port Authority may then remove or dispose off all these goods in the manner it deems suitable, and this action will be under the responsibility and costs of the consignee, the master, Owner or the agent.
27. Cargo Control Services
All cargo control services for the principle such as tallying, weighing, measuring, gauging, checking, sampling, sorting, etc. shall be exclusively performed by the port authority for a separate charge. The port authority may delegate a third party to carry out such services.
28. Packing and Marking of Goods
Goods should be packed and marked clearly and in accordance with the local and international laws and standards.
29. Cargo and goods intended to be exported shall be deposited in the areas to be specified by the Port Authority. Such goods may also be delivered to the vessel directly upon a request from the shipper or the agent. In this case the Port Authority should be informed at least 24 hours prior to the time of the vessel’s arrival. In addition these goods should be accompanied by the Shipping order along with all other documents in time as agreed by the port authority. In case of any delay the shipper will incur additional expenses as a result of this delay. The cargo or goods which are properly documented should be ready in all aspects for shipment.
30. Resorting and Re-Packing
Resorting, re-packing or any other similar actions shall not be permitted inside the Port other than by the port authority and on the account of the consignee, consignor, the vessel or its agent.
31. Neglected Goods
The Port Authority after serving a warning to the owner of the goods, that their formalities were not completely finalised within the specified period as per the notification issued in this regard, may offer these goods for sale by auction after the following periods:
(i) One month for perishable goods and goods in reefers.
(ii) Three months for any other goods.
The proceeds of the sale will be deposited in the Port’s safe for the owner of the goods after deduction of the Port Charges and the sale costs.
32. The Port Working Hours
The Port Authority is entitled to fix and amend the Port working hours and announce its working hours by the means it deems suitable.