Zanzibar, 20 Jan (ONA)—Oman Investment Authority (OIA) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of Zanzibar to study the feasibility of Malindi Tourist Port’s restoration and operation. The pact also deals with the development of the seafront of Malindi Port and the transfer of commercial activities from the current port of Mangapwani as part of efforts to diversify the international investment portfolio and benefit from the strategic location of the new port.

The MoU provides for OIA’s conducting a study for the layout of a commercial-cum-industrial hub enjoying full facilities on the island of Zanzibar 25 km from the current Malinidi Port. The project includes a cargo loading, unloading and storage facility, as well as a fish processing, storage and preservation for export. It occupies an area of 3 million sqm in the first phase and 1.5 million sqm in the second phase, with an annual capacity of 10 million tons, in addition to an area for light and medium industries.

The original port, built in 1920, is considered a major gateway for the handling of goods in the island and a dock area for ships and passenger boats. It has a 240-metre pier and one crane.

The preliminary study of the OIA envisages converting the harbour into a tourist port with a 10-hectare area for passenger transport.

The MoU, the second venture of its kind, builds on the first MoU signed by the two parties in last 2021 that provided for studying the construction of Mangapwani port into a multi-industry port. The study is scheduled to be completed by June 2022.

Ends/AB/AH