Greenfield Omani Minerals Port Set to Launch in H1 2029: Implications for Investors and Businesses in Oman
MUSCAT, NOV 18 — A new bulk minerals port is set to be developed at Al Shuwaimiyah on Oman’s southern coast, with operations expected to commence in the first half of 2029. This facility will facilitate the large-scale export of Omani industrial minerals, including gypsum and limestone, to international markets.
On November 17, 2025, a significant partnership was established between Minerals Development Oman (MDO)—the mining and mineral investment arm of the Oman Investment Authority (OIA)—and JSW Overseas FZE, a subsidiary of the prominent Indian port operator JSW Infrastructure. They have signed agreements to create a dedicated minerals export terminal.
JSW Overseas FZE announced the execution of a Share Subscription and Purchase Agreement involving a special purpose vehicle (SPV) named South Minerals Port Company SAOC, which MDO formed to oversee the terminal’s development and operations. As part of this agreement, JSW acquired a 51% stake in the SPV, while MDO holds the remaining 49%.
This newly established Port SPV will focus on developing and operating the port facility, which will support the South Minerals Project in the Dhofar Governorate. According to JSW Overseas FZE, the port will have a capacity of 27 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), with a total estimated capital expenditure of $419 million. Construction is anticipated to take 36 months, with commercial operations slated to begin in early 2029.
Sajjan Jindal, Chairman of JSW Group, remarked, “Our collaboration with Minerals Development Oman marks a significant milestone in enhancing the historic ties between India and Oman. This strategic investment will lay the groundwork for strengthened trade connectivity and economic collaboration, enabling us to build world-class assets that bolster our long-term partnership.”
JSW Infrastructure noted that Oman’s strategic location along major international shipping routes—coupled with its modern logistics capabilities and proximity to fast-growing markets in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Africa—positions the country as a natural hub for mineral exports. Oman boasts considerable deposits of limestone, gypsum, and dolomite, essential for India’s steel and cement industries, giving it a competitive edge in exports.
The forthcoming minerals port is poised to be a crucial gateway, streamlining the transport of bulk minerals extracted from MDO’s concessions while enhancing supply chain efficiency and regional trade connections.
For JSW Infrastructure, the second-largest private port operator in India, this agreement with MDO further extends its influence in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The company operates a liquid tank storage facility in Fujairah, UAE, and manages two dry bulk terminals in Fujairah and Dibba. In India, it oversees ten ports and terminal concessions with a combined cargo-handling capacity of 177 million tonnes per annum, catering to diverse cargo types including dry bulk and containers.
MDO emphasized that the South Minerals Project aims to unlock and commercialize the mineral potential across three concessions spanning a total area of 1,500 km² in the Wilayat of Shaleem and Al Hallaniyat Islands, Dhofar Governorate. While the deepwater terminal will facilitate bulk mineral exports, the project is also expected to attract investments in downstream industries, thereby fostering value-added supply chains and supporting regional industrial growth and economic diversification for sustained long-term development.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The development of a new bulk minerals port at Al Shuwaimiyah signals a pivotal opportunity for businesses in Oman, especially in the mining and minerals sectors. By facilitating large-scale exports, this project enhances regional trade connectivity and positions Oman as a key player in the mineral markets of South Asia and beyond. Investors and entrepreneurs should consider the potential for downstream industrial investments and the implications of enhanced supply chain efficiencies as Oman seeks to diversify its economy and leverage its mineral wealth.
