Oman Signs Agreement to Build First Locally Manufactured Marine Tugboat

ASYAD Drydock and Svitzer to Construct Oman’s First National Tugboat

Muscat:  A strategic agreement was signed today between ASYAD Drydock and the global maritime services company Svitzer to build the first marine tugboat to be manufactured in the Sultanate of Oman, for the benefit of Oman LNG Company. The project marks a significant milestone in strengthening national industrial, logistics, and maritime capabilities.

The signing ceremony was held under the patronage of His Excellency Abdul Salam bin Mohammed Al Murshidi, Chairman of the Oman Investment Authority.

The project falls within the framework of the established partnership between Oman LNG and ASYAD Group, which is based on the integration of roles across the national energy, logistics, and maritime services ecosystem. It represents an advanced stage of cooperation, transitioning from operational and maritime support services to industrial manufacturing, reflecting Oman LNG’s approach to investment driven by local added value and ASYAD Drydock’s growing technical readiness.

His Excellency Abdul Salam bin Mohammed Al Murshidi stated that the project reflects the success of the “Links” program launched by the Oman Investment Authority to enhance integration among national companies and reinforce local content and in-country value. He noted that the initiative exemplifies the localization of technology transfer to the Sultanate of Oman and the creation of employment opportunities for national talent.

He emphasized the growing capability of Duqm Drydock to manufacture marine vessels in the coming period, pointing out that 2025 witnessed a significant leap in the number of ships serviced, alongside a qualitative transition from ship maintenance to shipbuilding.

For his part, Hamad bin Mohammed Al Nu’mani, Chief Executive Officer of Oman LNG, said that constructing the tugboat locally in the Sultanate of Oman, along with ASYAD Group’s investment, contributes to reinforcing Oman’s maritime heritage, developing national capabilities, transferring knowledge, and supporting future growth in marine asset manufacturing, in line with the company’s firm commitment to local added value.

He added that the project reflects the growing confidence in ASYAD Drydock’s technical expertise, advanced infrastructure, and qualified national workforce in executing ship repair and construction projects according to the highest international standards.

Meanwhile, Ahmed bin Ali Al Balushi, Chief Executive Officer of ASYAD Drydock and Infrastructure Services at ASYAD Group, explained that ASYAD Drydock operates as a national industrial platform for localizing the construction of high-value marine assets within the Sultanate of Oman, following a sustainable approach aimed at increasing local content. He noted that the local content rate for this project is expected to reach approximately 50 percent.

He pointed out that ASYAD Drydock’s total local expenditure during 2025 amounted to around OMR 46 million, while spending on small and medium enterprises reached approximately OMR 7.77 million, reflecting the company’s commitment to supporting national institutions and enhancing local talent capabilities.

Al Balushi stressed that the project embodies Oman LNG’s approach to translating local added value commitments into tangible outcomes by embedding them into contracts and operational models, thereby maximizing economic impact and creating sustainable job opportunities. He noted that Omanization rates among service and business providers exceeded 85 percent, while 79 percent of total supply chain spending was directed to locally registered companies.