Duqm: The Port of Duqm is one of the most important development projects in the Special Economic Zone in Duqm (SEZAD). It is distinguished by its strategic location on the international shipping route for maritime shipping lines, linking three continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe). It also enjoys a competitive advantage near large emerging markets in Africa, India, and the GCC countries.
The Port of Duqm is operated and managed by the Port of Duqm Company, a 50-50 joint venture company between the ASYAD Group and the Antwerp Port Consortium. The Port serves various economic and commercial sectors in the Sultanate of Oman and regional and global markets.
The Port includes 3 main berths: the commercial berth, the government berth, and the liquid and bulk materials berth. It has an advanced infrastructure, as the total length of the breakwaters is about 8.7 kilometers, while the depth of the port basin reaches 18 meters and the entry channel reaches 19 meters, which qualifies the port to receive and handle gia
nt container ships.
The Duqm Port Company and its subsidiaries are also promoting leasable lands within the port’s industrial and logistics lands, amounting to 5,000 hectares within the SEZAD, in accordance with the concession contract signed between the two parties.
The port offers many incentives to facilitate business, raise competitiveness, and make it a multi-purpose global trade gateway to reach various markets. ASYAD Duqm Terminals, which was established in partnership between ASYAD Ports and Duqm Port Company, began managing and operating the general cargo terminal, which includes three commercial berths.
To enhance the integrity of the infrastructure, new container cranes began operating during the past year (2023) after the completion of the project by the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ). The move is a qualitative step to develop the port’s capabilities and improve its efficiency. The Duqm Port Company has worked extensively with OPAZ to complete the project in a
ccordance with international specifications.
The new cranes are characterized by high, smart and fast capabilities in handling containers. They have been equipped with fifth generation technologies, in addition to a fiber optic data transmission system to be controlled remotely by the crane operator. The cranes are equipped with intelligent driving systems, a yard monitoring system and an automatic landing system. The new cranes are distinguished by their ability to handle the largest container vessels in the world.
The number of new cranes is 16, including 4 cranes for transporting containers from ships to the commercial berth with a capacity of up to 65 tons, and 12 gantry cranes with rubber tires with a carrying capacity of 41 tons. The government berth at Duqm Port is the first berth to be built for government agencies in Omani ports.
The length of the berth is 980 metres, and it is located in a distinctive location between the dry dock and the liquid and bulk berth; close to the commercial berth. It i
s one of the most important security facilities in the Port of Duqm and provides readiness to manage logistical operations for a number of government agencies.
In 2019, the superstructure of the government pier was completed, including buildings for a number of government agencies, employee housing, and administrative offices, with workshops for maintaining boats, equipment for ships and boats, and areas for logistical services. The project’s works also included extending electricity, water, communications, sewage, and firefighting networks, constructing 4 pumps, surface water drainage channels, water tanks, fencing the government dock, and constructing the main gates and security gates.
The length of the roads that were implemented on the government sidewalk is about 2 kilometers and 7 meters in width. It includes main roads and internal roads with road lighting, installation of traffic lights, and provision of parking lots for vehicles of various types.
While the liquid and bulk materials berth at Duqm P
ort is one of the giant projects that will change the investment map of Duqm to become a city exporting oil derivatives and green industries, the superstructure of the berth was constructed in two stages; The first phase was completed in 2019 and the second in the second quarter of 2020.
During the first phase of the pier’s infrastructure work, 79 hectares of the area adjacent to the 4.6 km long breakwater were developed and reclaimed for the construction of the liquid and bulk pier. The double dock berth was also constructed with accessories and marine navigation tools. About 26 million cubic meters of materials were excavated for the work of deepening the basin to 18 meters and deepening the path channel in the port that leads to the dock to reach 19 meters. About 5 million cubic meters of this material was used for reclamation and backfilling. The site designated for the pier, a one-kilometre-long pier wall was constructed, and buoys and navigational aids were installed.
The second phase included increas
ing pier reclamation operations to include developing 55 hectares of the area adjacent to the breakwater, which made the pier ready for new companies to operate.
During 2019, the Duqm Port Company delivered the first phase to the Duqm Refinery Company, which worked on constructing its export facilities and establishing tanks, buildings and services related to the export of petroleum derivatives produced by the refinery.
Reggy Vermeulen, CEO of the Port of Duqm, pointed out that the port played an active role in developing the cargo base it deals with especially the handling of containers related to the fish sector, including frozen and dry products. He affirmed that the port has succeeded in increasing the handling of general containers and the amount of metal exports of various types.
He added in a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA) that the port managed to attract new investors, especially in the fields related to green hydrogen and green iron, noting that there are new investments in the container term
inal, represented in building new warehouses and offices and providing new cranes and other supporting equipment.
The Duqm Port administration was also keen to accomplish many achievements to make the port a leading maritime and logistical hub in the region. Its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and focus on sustainable development attracted large investments. In early 2023, the port signed industrial land reservation agreements with many leading companies in the field of green iron and green hydrogen.
The Port of Duqm seeks to attract green hydrogen projects that use clean energy sources and adopt a comprehensive and proactive approach to environmental sustainability to achieve sustainable development goals, including decarbonization and commitment to zero neutrality.
Source: Oman News Agency