Duqm Port’s Growth: How Captive Cargo, Green Energy, and Partnerships Can Boost Your Business in Oman
Port of Duqm’s Future Success Depends on Industrial Partnerships and Green Energy
صلاله: The long-term success of the Port of Duqm relies on a combination of efficient operations, “captive” industrial cargo, green-energy-driven manufacturing, and robust public-private partnerships, rather than solely on transshipment activities, stated CEO Reggy Vermeulen during remarks at the Middle East Transport Forum yesterday.
Vermeulen emphasized that while کارایی عملیاتی is critical, merely having a prime location and infrastructure is insufficient to ensure a port’s success. He warned that ports focusing exclusively on transshipment might face under-utilization, regardless of their high-quality facilities. “Industries such as steel, gas, and fisheries, which are connected to the quay, are essential for creating a positive cycle of volume and investment,” he explained.
He cited examples of modernized ports that failed to thrive due to the absence of an industrial hinterland and guaranteed cargo volumes. In contrast, Al Duqm is generating cargo from domestic sources through major projects and stakeholders based in the surrounding port and Special Economic Zone.
Three Strategic Priorities
Vermeulen outlined three key priorities shaping the next phase for Al Duqm:
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Decarbonisation: Leveraging Al Duqm’s favorable wind and solar assets to provide competitive green electricity and related products (hydrogen, ammonia, methanol) for downstream industries, particularly in low-carbon steel. He noted that the port is proactively aligning stakeholders with projects even before the upstream infrastructure is fully operational, highlighting significant interest from global players in Japan, Brazil, Europe, and China.
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Community Development: Enhancing education, healthcare, and urban services to attract talent and residents to the Al Wusta Governorate while protecting its unique natural resources, including important coastal and migratory bird habitats.
- Workplace Health and Well-being: Implementing safety measures and quality-of-life initiatives to support a livable industrial city.
Regarding logistics efficiency, Vermeulen mentioned that Al Duqm collaborates with national authorities to establish a logistics community system that connects port operators, customs, free zones, warehouses, and shippers. This initiative aims to provide real-time visibility and expedite clearance processes, addressing the gap between consumer expectations for B2C tracking and the B2B cargo environment.
He noted that the current overcapacity in various regions of the Gulf, Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean signifies an end to the traditional model of port authorities passively waiting for business. Achieving success now demands teamwork among cargo owners, regulators, operators, and shipping lines, along with policies that position Oman as a natural origin-and-destination market for cargo moving north-south to the UAE and beyond.
Operational Performance
Vermeulen reported that the port’s core operations—ship turnaround, loading, and unloading—are performing well. “The next step is to enhance this operational foundation with captive industries to ensure volume resilience throughout economic cycles,” he stated.
A technical workshop scheduled for later this week will focus on strategies for securing captured, origin-based cargo for Al Duqm and its surrounding areas.
“Partnership is essential for progress. When there is a coherent plan that connects industries to clean energy, thriving communities, and digital transparency, investment will follow,” he concluded.
تحلیل ویژه از عمانت | بازار عمان را کشف کنید
The focus on integrating industrial operations with efficient logistics at the Port of Duqm presents significant opportunities for businesses in Oman, especially in the green energy و manufacturing sectorsسرمایهگذاران هوشمند باید موارد زیر را در نظر بگیرند: مشارکتهای استراتژیک emphasized by CEO Reggy Vermeulen, as collaboration with local industries and a commitment to sustainable practices will be crucial for long-term growth in this evolving market landscape. Failure to adapt could pose risks, particularly for businesses reliant solely on حمل و نقل, highlighting the need for a diversified operational model anchored in Oman’s economic zones.
