Charting a Legacy in Shipping & Logistics
Abraham (Raju)
Managing Director
Sohar Shipping Transport and Trading Agencies LLC
The saying that business runs in the blood finds a living testament in Mr. Abraham (Raju), the visionary Managing Director of Sohar Shipping Transport and Trading Agencies LLC. His entrepreneurial spirit is a legacy, inherited from his father, Elias Iype, a distinguished businessman in India. Originating from Mulanthuruthy in Kerala’s Ernakulam district, Mr. Abraham was actively involved in politics during his student years. After earning a degree in commerce, he embarked on his career in market research. In early 1977, he shifted base to Muscat, and after eight years with Middle East Marketing Research Bureau, he boldly ventured into the shipping and logistics industry.
Named after the historic port of Sohar, Sohar Shipping was started in 1983 but it was only after Mr. Abraham took over in 1985 that the company started sailing smoothly. He started with just two employees in a modest office in Jibroo, Muttrah—a thriving shipping hub at the time.
The company’s strategic location in Oman’s bustling capital allows it to serve as a critical hub, bridging the East and West, and ensuring seamless connectivity across global trade routes. With decades of experience, Sohar Shipping is dedicated to providing comprehensive, end-to-end logistics services that are tailored to meet the evolving needs of clients. Whether it’s ocean freight, air freight, or specialized logistics services, the expert team ensures that the clients’ cargo is handled with the utmost care and delivered on time, every time.
Today, Sohar Shipping stands as one of Oman’s premier shipping service providers, renowned for its expansive reach, robust connectivity, and exceptional competency. With a dedicated team of 35 professionals based in its Muscat headquarters, and a branch in Sohar, the company has grown into an industry leader under Mr. Abraham’s guidance.
Under Mr. Abraham’s visionary leadership, Sohar Shipping is dedicated to providing services marked by the highest standards of professionalism. The company’s commitment to building long-term, successful client relationships and consistently exceeding expectations has firmly established it at the forefront of Oman’s shipping and logistics industry.
Sohar Shipping connects its clients to all major global trade centers, leveraging a vast global knowledge base and the expertise of local specialists to deliver comprehensive solutions. The company’s extensive service offerings include Ocean Freight, Air Freight, LCL Consolidation, Customs Clearance, Land Freight, Vessel Handling, Container Sale/Leasing, and Door-To-Door delivery. The company handled cruise vessels, navy ships etc. other than containers and bulk carriers, over the years.
Sohar Shipping has forged strong connections with world-leading ocean freight providers, securing competitive rates for shipments to and from Oman across major trade routes. It represents Evergreen Shipping Line, one of the leading marine shipping services that offers container services and joint services, container terminals, and e-business services. In terms of the scale of fleet capacity, cargo volumes, and innovative shipbuilding concepts, Evergreen ranks among the world’s leading international shipping companies.
Sohar Shipping is the only company in the Sultanate that provides bonded warehousing at the dry port in Khazaen that the agency operates. Again Sohar Shipping is the only shipping line that has signed a long term agreement to use the services of the port.
Mr. Abraham was the Shipping Association Secretary for many years. Later, he was the chairman of Oman Logistics Association. Sohar Shipping was one of the founding members of Multiport, the world’s oldest and largest network of independent ship agents.
With over 38 years of industry experience, Sohar Shipping is a leader among Oman’s top shipping , offering a full suite of maritime and logistics services. The company has earned its reputation by serving some of the most prestigious clients in Oman, delivering unmatched logistics solutions with a commitment to excellence.
In addition to his shipping and logistics enterprise, Mr. Abraham has ventured into the hospitality industry, operating the renowned restaurant Indian House in Sohar. Despite his business success, Mr. Abraham prefers to shun the limelight while conducting his charitable endeavours. He also envisions establishing a school under the National Institute of Open Schooling syllabus for less privileged children in his hometown in the near future.
Mr. Abraham is married to Reena, and they have three sons. Their eldest, Aaron, works in Sohar Shipping’s accounts department. Aabel, the second son, holds an MBA in logistics from Amity University and serves as the company’s operations head. Noah, the youngest, is an architect with a keen interest in IT and shipping, contributing to the family business.
Contact Information
Office: Sohar Shipping Transport & Trading Agencies LLC, P.O. Box 284, Jibroo, Postal Code 114, Sultanate of Oman
Tel: +968 24955777
Address in India: Thanangadan (Bait Thoma), Mulanthuruthy, Ernakulam, PO 682314
