Asyad Container Terminal in Duqm Receives First CMA CGM Vessel

CMA CGM Launches Regular Shipping Services to Duqm Port

Duqm: Asyad Ports and Freezones, a member of the Asyad Group, has officially announced the launch of regular shipping services by the French global shipping company CMA CGM to the Asyad Container Terminal at the Port of Duqm. The new service commenced with the arrival of the first vessel operating under this line at the port.

This direct maritime link reinforces Duqm’s strategic position as a key logistics gateway on Oman’s Indian Ocean coast and represents a significant enhancement to the international connectivity framework led by the Asyad Group. The development supports the integration of logistics services and strengthens Duqm’s presence within global trade networks. The inclusion of Duqm Port in CMA CGM’s global network also marks an important step in expanding the company’s operations across the Middle East and Africa, while further consolidating the Sultanate of Oman’s status as a regional logistics hub.

Linking Duqm to one of the world’s largest shipping networks underscores the growing importance of the Asyad Container Terminal, located at the heart of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD). This move highlights the port’s potential as a future platform for trade and industry and is expected to enhance Oman’s standing in the regional logistics landscape. It also opens wider opportunities for local industries to access global markets efficiently and at competitive costs, particularly for dry and refrigerated cargo, which form a core component of modern trade.

Omar bin Mahmoud Al Mahrizi, Chief Executive Officer of Asyad Ports and Freezones, emphasized the significance of the partnership with CMA CGM, noting that adding Duqm to the company’s service network represents a pivotal milestone in the port’s development as an emerging industrial and logistics hub. In a statement to Oman News Agency, he said that CMA CGM’s selection of Duqm reflects its confidence in the terminal’s operational efficiency and quality of services. He added that the new service will enhance Duqm’s visibility on the global port map, provide broader opportunities for exporters and importers, and support growth across key economic sectors.

From the shipping line’s perspective, Thiashen Govender, Managing Director of CMA CGM in Oman, stated that the launch of the service marks a qualitative leap in the provision of advanced logistics solutions tailored to the fisheries sector. He noted that the partnership with Ocean Fish Company, together with the operation of the Ocean Fresh vessel, demonstrates CMA CGM’s commitment to connecting emerging markets through reliable and high-quality transport services.

For his part, Sulaiman bin Shatait Al Ghanammi, Chief Executive Officer of Ocean Fish Company, highlighted Duqm’s expanding role as a logistics hub for the fisheries industry. He explained that the port’s proximity to major fishing grounds provides a competitive advantage by reducing vessel turnaround time during loading and unloading operations. This efficiency allows for more frequent voyages and faster delivery to international markets, especially with Duqm serving as a key stop within the CMA CGM global network.

This development further underscores the strategic role of the Port of Duqm as a gateway linking Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, and the Middle East. The Asyad Container Terminal is equipped with world-class infrastructure, including gantry cranes, rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes, container trucks, and advanced facilities for refrigerated containers. These capabilities enhance the port’s capacity to support the export of dry and chilled cargo through fast and reliable access to global markets, while expanding import and export options and providing comprehensive coverage for industrial and commercial customers across the region.