Muscat – In line with the official inauguration of Port of Duqm, Asyad Ports-Duqm is set to commence the operation and management of the general cargo terminal that includes three commercial berths in Port of Duqm, following Asyad Group’s strategy to enhance the competitiveness of Omani ports and maximise their investment and economic returns, as underpinned by Oman Logistics Strategy (SOLS) 2040.

Asyad Terminals – Duqm, established through a partnership between Asyad Ports and Port of Duqm, will manage and operate three berths in Port of Duqm, which can accommodate the largest container ships and very large crude carriers to serve customers and trade partners.

The first berth is a multi-use general cargo berth with a capacity of about 1mn TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) per annum, the second is a bulk cargo berth offering a capacity of almost 5M TEUs per annum, while the third is a Ro-Ro vessels berth.

These berths will consequently absorb the anticipated growth in ships traffic and cargo operations, ramp up trade via Port of Duqm with international ports, provide exporters and suppliers of local and global business communities with rapid solutions, and meet SEZAD’s economic projects’ requirements, according to a press statement issued by Asyad.

“This significant milestone, which translates the pillars and objectives of Oman Vision 2040, gives to national operators priority of managing large Omani ports and associated logistics services, and optimizing the use of port equipment and facilities to promote national exports and Oman’s economic growth,” said Sheikh Nasser bin Sulaiman al Harthy, chairman of the board of directors of Asyad Group.

Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Abri, CEO of Asyad Ports, isaid, “Asyad is moving ahead in developing the ports sector in Oman, achieving further progress and taking multiple initiatives to turn the ports of Oman into an investment pull factor. In co-operation with various government agencies, those ports will grow to become a leveraging pillar for trade and economic development in the country.”

He subsequently highlighted that assigning the management and operation of the general cargo terminal in the Port of Duqm to Asyad Terminals – Duqm was a serious step forward into the circle of worldwide competition in the area of operation of international berths and ports.

Abri further said that Asyad Terminals – Duqm will seek to develop the superstructure of Port of Duqm and handle general, bulk and rolled cargo. Furthermore, the Company will provide competitive incentives and initiatives to facilitate business and raise the competitive advantage of Port of Duqm, thus, becoming a multi-purpose global trade gateway offering access to markets that include more than 3bn consumers around the world.

“Asyad Ports has over the past years demonstrated its solid know-how, administrative capabilities, and national competence, in managing Oman’s ports (Suwaiq, Shinas, Khasab & Port of Sultan Qaboos and Khazaen Dry Port), and employing those abilities to strengthen the crucial role of Port of Duqm as a prime location and a nerve centre in the global supply chain”, added Abri.

Port of Duqm extends over an area of 188 sqkm and consists of nine berths which are 2.25km long, 350m wide, and up to 18m deep.