Oman

Shipping Arabia, October 26, 2026 – Oman will host the Muscat Maritime Resilience Forum 2026 on October 27, bringing together international maritime executives, industry experts and academics to explore practical solutions for strengthening global shipping networks, supply chain resilience and the continuity of international trade.

The forum is organized by Asyad Group in partnership with Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and the Oman Investment Authority. The initiative reflects coordinated national efforts to strengthen Oman’s participation in international discussions on the future of maritime trade and global shipping routes.

The event will provide a specialized platform for professional dialogue, knowledge exchange and cooperation among maritime industry stakeholders. It will focus on common challenges affecting global maritime networks and explore practical approaches to maintaining connectivity between markets and supporting international trade flows.

Maritime Resilience and Global Supply Chain Challenges

The Muscat Maritime Resilience Forum 2026 will examine the role of interconnected maritime networks in supporting global supply chains, businesses, markets and economies.

Discussions will address the operational and commercial challenges facing international shipping, with particular attention to the need for practical experience, operational expertise and cooperation across different segments of the maritime industry.

The forum will bring together stakeholders representing shipping, ports, logistics, technology, insurance and other sectors connected to international trade. Participants will exchange industry experiences and examine approaches to improving maritime network resilience and connectivity.

A central feature of the event will be its private-sector-led discussions, which will focus on real-world operational conditions and commercial challenges. The objective is to identify practical solutions that maritime industry participants can apply to strengthen their ability to respond to changing circumstances.

The forum will also provide an opportunity for executives and specialists from major international companies, institutions and research centers to share expertise and discuss challenges affecting the wider maritime ecosystem.

Asyad Group Highlights Industry Cooperation

Abdulrahman bin Salim Al Hatmi, Group CEO of Asyad Group, emphasized that global trade resilience depends on the ability of maritime networks to maintain connections between markets while adapting to changes affecting cargo movements and supply chains.

He explained that bringing maritime leaders and experts together in Muscat would provide an opportunity to exchange operational experiences, discuss shared challenges and explore solutions that improve the readiness of the maritime sector.

Al Hatmi said Asyad Group, as the forum’s host, would contribute its commercial and operational expertise to the discussions. He emphasized that strengthening maritime resilience is a shared responsibility requiring continuous cooperation among the different participants in the industry.

The forum’s approach reflects the importance of collaboration between shipping companies, port operators, logistics service providers and other maritime stakeholders in addressing challenges that extend across international supply chains.

By focusing on operational experience and industry-led dialogue, the event aims to encourage discussions that move beyond identifying challenges toward exploring practical responses.

Oman’s Maritime Position and Economic Diplomacy

Al Hatmi also highlighted Oman’s approach to economic diplomacy, emphasizing the country’s use of international relationships built on trust, dialogue and cooperation to bring decision-makers and experts together around issues affecting the global economy.

He said hosting the forum would strengthen Muscat’s position as an international meeting point for maritime industry leaders from different markets. The event will provide a platform for discussing challenges that extend beyond individual countries and require coordinated efforts, knowledge exchange and stronger partnerships.

Oman’s geographic position along international maritime trade routes also forms an important part of this approach. Its ports, maritime infrastructure, shipping services and logistics capabilities support connections between regional and international markets while providing additional options for trade movements.

The forum therefore brings together Oman’s maritime capabilities and its efforts to facilitate international commercial dialogue, with a focus on cooperation across the global shipping and logistics sectors.

Muscat Maritime Resilience Framework

The Muscat Maritime Resilience Forum 2026 is also expected to contribute to the preparation of the Muscat Maritime Resilience Framework through the insights and recommendations developed during its discussions.

According to Al Hatmi, the forum represents a step toward establishing Muscat as an international destination for professional and commercial dialogue within the maritime industry.

He emphasized that continued engagement between maritime and logistics leaders from different markets could support stronger partnerships and collective efforts to enhance maritime network resilience.

The planned framework will draw on the discussions and recommendations emerging from the forum, reflecting its focus on practical industry cooperation and the continued movement of international trade.

Through the event, Oman aims to facilitate closer coordination among maritime stakeholders while supporting wider efforts to strengthen the resilience, connectivity and operational readiness of global shipping networks.

Source: Al Shabiba

Shipping Arabia, October 22, 2026 – Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has confirmed that the existing Port of Salalah investment agreements will not be renewed when they expire on November 1, 2028. The Ministry also announced that a new port operator will be named in the coming period, while port operations and development activities will continue under the current agreements until their expiry.

The announcement follows an official disclosure by Salalah Port Services Company SAOG, which confirmed receiving formal notification from the Ministry regarding the nonrenewal of its existing investment agreements.

According to the company, the Ministry’s decision is final and unconditional, confirming that the current contractual arrangements will end on their scheduled expiry date without renewal.

Port of Salalah Investment Agreements to Expire in 2028

Salalah Port Services disclosed that it had received an official letter from the Ministry confirming that the existing investment agreements would not be extended beyond November 1, 2028.

The company stated that its Board of Directors would review the notification and evaluate the potential implications and consequences of the decision for its business.

Salalah Port Services also confirmed that it would communicate with the relevant authorities as appropriate while assessing the situation. Furthermore, the company committed to disclosing any material developments related to the matter in accordance with applicable regulatory disclosure requirements.

The disclosure establishes the Ministry’s final position on the future of the existing investment agreements. However, the company has not provided details regarding the potential financial implications of the decision.

Ministry Confirms Continued Port Operations and Development

In a separate statement, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology emphasized that operations and development activities at the Port of Salalah would continue throughout the remaining contractual period.

The Ministry explained that these activities form part of its commitment to expanding and developing the port while ensuring the continuity of its operations under the existing agreements.

Accordingly, operational and development activities will continue until November 1, 2028, when the current investment agreements are scheduled to expire.

The Ministry’s confirmation clarifies that the nonrenewal decision does not affect the continuation of port operations and development during the remaining term of the agreements.

New Port Operator to Be Announced

The Ministry also confirmed that it would announce the operator responsible for the Port of Salalah following the expiry of the current agreements.

Although the decision establishes that the existing investment arrangements will not continue beyond November 2028, the Ministry has not yet identified the future operator or provided further details about the subsequent operating arrangements.

Meanwhile, Salalah Port Services will assess the implications of the notification through its Board of Directors and engage with the relevant authorities where appropriate.

Neither the Ministry’s statement nor the company’s disclosure provided information on the identity of the next operator or the potential financial impact of the nonrenewal on Salalah Port Services.

For the remainder of the current contractual period, the Port of Salalah will continue operating and undergoing development under its existing agreements, while the Ministry prepares to announce the operator that will assume responsibility after their expiry.

Source: Oman Daily

Shipping Arabia, October 20, 2026 – Oman’s ports recorded strong operational growth during the first eight months of 2026, with cargo throughput rising 62.3% and container volumes increasing 20.5% compared with the same period in 2025. The latest figures from the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology also show significant increases in vessel arrivals and vehicle handling, reflecting expanding maritime and logistics activity across the Sultanate.

Total cargo throughput at Omani ports reached approximately 146 million tons by the end of August 2026, compared with 90.5 million tons during the corresponding period of 2025. The increase highlights the growing volume of goods moving through the country’s maritime facilities and their expanding role in supporting supply chains and logistics services.

Layla bint Ali Al Battashi, Director of the Ports and Marine Berths Department at the ministry, presented the figures in a statement to the Oman News Agency. She said the operational indicators reflect increasing trade activity and the continued development of Oman’s maritime transport sector.

Container Throughput Exceeds 4 Million TEUs

Container handling at Omani ports increased by 20.5% during the first eight months of 2026, exceeding 4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). This compares with 3,368,465 TEUs handled during the same period in 2025.

According to Al Battashi, the growth reflects expanding commercial activity and the efficiency of port operations. The increase also demonstrates the importance of container handling within Oman’s maritime transport and logistics system.

Meanwhile, vessel arrivals at Omani ports and marine berths located outside port limits rose by 27.9%. More than 11,000 vessels were received by the end of August 2026, compared with 8,793 vessels during the corresponding period of the previous year.

The simultaneous growth in vessel arrivals and container throughput reflects the broader increase in maritime activity recorded across the country’s port system.

Cargo and Vehicle Handling Register Significant Increases

Beyond container shipping, Oman recorded a substantial increase in total cargo volumes. Port cargo throughput reached approximately 146 million tons during the reporting period, representing a 62.3% increase from the 90.5 million tons handled a year earlier.

Al Battashi highlighted the importance of this growth in strengthening the role of Omani ports in supporting supply chains and logistics activities. The figures demonstrate the increasing movement of goods through the country’s maritime infrastructure.

Vehicle handling recorded the highest percentage growth among the four operational indicators reported by the ministry.

The number of vehicles handled at Omani ports surged by 182.6% to 188,368 units during the first eight months of 2026. This compares with 66,661 vehicles during the same period in 2025.

The sharp increase in vehicle volumes contributed to the overall expansion of port activity, alongside the growth recorded in cargo throughput, container handling and vessel arrivals.

Omani Ports Strengthen Regional and International Trade Connectivity

Al Battashi emphasized that the latest operational results demonstrate the continued growth of Oman’s port sector during 2026. She pointed to the increases across all four indicators as evidence of expanding maritime activity and the importance of ports to the country’s transport and logistics system.

According to the ministry, this performance reinforces the role of Omani ports as essential infrastructure for facilitating trade and supporting logistics services.

The growth also strengthens Oman’s connectivity with regional and international markets, supporting the country’s position within maritime transport and global trade networks.

With higher vessel arrivals, container throughput, cargo volumes and vehicle handling recorded through August, Oman’s ports continue to play a central role in facilitating trade flows and supporting the Sultanate’s logistics sector.

Source: Oman Daily

Shipping Arabia, October 20, 2026 – Oman’s Asyad Shipping has launched a new corporate website as part of its ongoing transformation, aiming to strengthen its digital presence, improve access to company information and enhance engagement with stakeholders. The redesigned platform reflects the company’s growth ambitions and its commitment to transparency as it continues expanding its fleet and supporting Oman’s role in global maritime trade.

Asyad Shipping CEO Ibrahim Al Nadhairi announced the launch on October 14, describing the new platform as more than a conventional website redesign. He emphasized that the company’s digital presence must reflect its identity, strategic direction and evolving position in the maritime industry.

Improving Digital Access and Stakeholder Engagement

The Asyad Shipping new website provides clearer access to company information and a more intuitive user experience. It is designed to serve as an important point of contact for investors, customers, business partners and prospective employees.

Al Nadhairi highlighted the website’s role in presenting a clearer picture of the company, its activities and its future direction. He noted that the digital platform is often the first place where stakeholders encounter Asyad Shipping, making its accessibility and presentation particularly important.

As the company continues growing its fleet and strengthening Oman’s participation in international maritime trade, its digital presence must evolve alongside its business ambitions.

Supporting Asyad Shipping’s Corporate Transformation

The website launch also reflects Asyad Shipping’s emphasis on transparency and stakeholder relationships as part of its broader corporate transformation.

According to Al Nadhairi, transparency and connection remain central to how the company builds trust with its stakeholders. He described the redesigned website as another step in that transformation, aligning the company’s online presence more closely with its identity and development objectives.

The CEO also acknowledged the team responsible for delivering the new website and invited stakeholders to explore the platform and provide feedback.

The launch represents a further step in Asyad Shipping’s efforts to ensure its digital presence reflects its evolving operations, fleet growth and ambitions within the global maritime shipping industry.

Source: Ibrahim Al Nadhairi, CEO of Asyad Shipping

Shipping Arabia, September 19, 2026 – Asyad Group has completed an end-to-end logistics operation involving 15 oversized shipments weighing more than 159 tonnes from Izmir, Türkiye, to a mining project in Yanqul, Oman.

Asyad Logistics managed the shipment as the single point of coordination from the purchase order stage through final delivery, with the cargo transported from Izmir via Port Sultan Qaboos before continuing by road to the project site in Yanqul.

The operation covered multiple stages of the logistics chain, including vessel discharge, port handling, customs clearance and specialised heavy transport from the port to the final destination.

According to Asyad, specialised equipment and handling techniques were deployed for the movement of the heavy and oversized cargo, with coordination maintained across the different stages of the operation to ensure safe and timely delivery.

The project highlights the integration of Asyad’s logistics and port capabilities in supporting complex industrial cargo movements and major mining projects in Oman.

Asyad said the operation also demonstrated cooperation between two Omani companies, combining local expertise and capabilities to provide a tailored logistics solution while strengthening local content within supply chains serving the Sultanate’s industrial and mining sectors.

The movement comes as Oman continues to develop integrated logistics capabilities connecting its ports with industrial and project locations across the country, with specialised project cargo services forming an important part of the supply chains supporting mining and other heavy industries.

Source: Asyad Group