Pact Signed to Build Oman’s First Offshore Tugboat: What This Means for the Maritime and Energy Sectors
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman is set to build its first locally manufactured offshore tugboat following the signing of a strategic agreement between Asyad Drydock and global maritime services provider Svitzer, for Oman LNG. This project marks a significant advancement in enhancing Oman’s industrial, maritime, and shipbuilding capabilities.
The agreement was formalized under the patronage of Abdulsalam bin Mohammed al Murshidi, Chairman of Oman Investment Authority, reflecting the strong ongoing partnership between Oman LNG and Asyad Group. This collaboration aims to foster closer integration across the national energy, logistics, and maritime sectors.
This initiative signifies a strategic shift from providing operational and maritime support services to engaging in more sophisticated industrial cooperation. It highlights Oman LNG’s dedication to local value creation and showcases Asyad Drydock’s increasing technical capacity to undertake complex vessel construction projects.
Al Murshidi described the project as a direct outcome of the ‘Rawabet’ programme launched by the Oman Investment Authority, designed to boost collaboration among national companies. He emphasized the focus on local content and in-country value, noting that the project brings advanced maritime technology to Oman while creating employment opportunities for Omanis.
He further affirmed Duqm Drydock’s readiness to manufacture tugboats in the near future, pointing to substantial progress made in 2025 in terms of both the volume of vessels serviced and the transition towards full-scale shipbuilding capabilities.
Hamed bin Mohammed al Naamany, CEO of Oman LNG, stated that building the tugboat locally, supported by investment from Asyad Group, strengthens Oman’s maritime heritage, develops national expertise, facilitates knowledge transfer, and supports future growth in marine asset manufacturing and construction.
He added that this project reflects growing confidence in Asyad Drydock’s technical expertise, sophisticated infrastructure, and qualified Omani workforce, enabling the execution of ship repair, construction, and major marine projects that meet the highest international standards.
Ahmed bin Ali al Balushi, CEO of Asyad Drydock and Infrastructure Services at Asyad Group, described the drydock as a national industrial platform dedicated to localizing the construction of high-value marine assets through sustainable practices that boost local content. He revealed that local content in this project is expected to reach approximately 50 percent.
Al Balushi also disclosed that Asyad Drydock’s total local expenditure in 2025 reached around RO 46 million, with spending on small and medium-sized enterprises amounting to about RO 7.78 million, highlighting the company’s commitment to supporting national institutions and nurturing local talent.
He added that the project exemplifies Oman LNG’s approach to turning local value-added commitments into concrete results by embedding them within contracts and operational frameworks. The Omanisation rate among service providers surpassed 85 percent, with 79 percent of total supply chain expenditure channeled to locally registered companies. — ONA
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The launch of Oman’s first locally manufactured offshore tugboat signals a strategic shift towards advanced industrial self-reliance and maritime capability development, creating significant opportunities for local businesses and SMEs to integrate into high-value supply chains. Smart investors should focus on emerging maritime manufacturing sectors and workforce localization, while entrepreneurs can capitalize on increasing government-backed industrial spending and knowledge transfer initiatives that position Oman as a regional hub for shipbuilding and marine services.
