Duqm’s Growing Role in Connecting Africa, Asia, and the Middle East

In the first half of 2025, Oman’s ports — including Duqm — handled 2.42 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), marking an 11.7% rise from 2.17 million TEUs in the same period of 2024. This double-digit growth reflects the increasing role of Duqm in advancing Oman’s logistics and trade ambitions.

Beyond container growth, the country’s ports collectively processed 70.1 million tonnes of cargo in H1 2025, up 5.2% from the previous year’s 66.6 million tonnes. The expansion highlights how Oman’s logistics network is scaling up to meet the growing regional demand for transport and trade connectivity.

At the heart of this transformation lies Duqm Port, strategically located within the 2,000-square-kilometer Duqm Special Economic Zone. The zone combines deepwater port facilities, industrial clusters, and export-oriented logistics services. This integrated setup positions Duqm as a vital industrial-logistics hub linking the Middle East with markets across Africa and Asia.

Duqm’s development is also anchored in Oman’s long-term goal of increasing the logistics sector’s contribution to national GDP by 2040. The port’s capacity expansion is central to this vision. Its container throughput capacity is being scaled up from 200,000 TEUs to an expected 1.7 million TEUs, representing one of the most significant jumps in regional port capacity. The port currently operates two container terminals capable of handling about 3.5 million containers annually, alongside bulk and liquid terminals that cater to energy and industrial exports.

Oman’s broader logistics strategy builds on Duqm’s momentum. With ongoing expansion projects in both Duqm and Salalah, the country’s national container throughput is projected to exceed 5 to 6 million TEUs by 2030. This would solidify Oman’s position as a key logistics and transshipment powerhouse between East Africa, South Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula.

In 2024, Oman’s ports handled a total cargo volume of 137 million tonnes, up 15% from the previous year — a reflection of surging bulk shipments and transshipment activities. Much of this growth is tied to infrastructure upgrades and the strategic location of ports like Duqm, which offer efficient access to global maritime routes without congestion.

The steady growth across Oman’s ports underscores the country’s emergence as a regional trade hub. Duqm’s expansion — through deeper berths, modern terminals, and industrial integration — not only enhances Oman’s logistics competitiveness but also aligns with national diversification efforts under Vision 2040.

With enhanced throughput capacity, stronger industrial linkages, and direct access to African and Asian markets, Duqm is evolving from a domestic port to a pivotal global logistics hub. As Oman continues investing in port and transport infrastructure, the country’s logistics landscape is set to play a far more influential role in regional and global supply chains.

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