Duqm projects to ignite new opportunities for Oman Shipping

MUSCAT: Oman Shipping Company (OSC), the nation’s principal marine transportation services provider, is keenly eyeing opportunities associated with multibillion dollar investments in a mega refinery and proposed petrochemicals cluster planned in Duqm Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

Duqm, positioned as the new national growth pole, has the potential to drive new business growth for the state-owned shipping line — part of ASYAD Group, the holding company of government shareholdings in various port, free zone, transport, logistics and related enterprises in the Sultanate. Coupled with opportunities linked to ballooning bulk commodity exports, chiefly aggregates and minerals, as well as the energy and petrochemicals sectors, prospects for an uptick in OSC’s business activities are brightening going into 2018, OSC’s chief executive officer, Tariq al Junaidi (pictured) said.

“We are carefully weighing opportunities for investment and growth not only within our existing lines of business, but beyond as well,” said Al Junaidi. “More importantly, OSC is looking to work closely with ASYAD Group to ensure that our growth objectives are in sync with ASYAD’s overall strategy for enhancing the value proposition of Oman as a logistics hub.