CMA CGM launches direct service at the Port of Duqm

DUQM: Asyad Ports and Freezones, a subsidiary of Asyad Group, has announced the launch of regular shipping services operated by French global carrier CMA CGM to the Asyad Container Terminal at the Port of Duqm. The new service was officially inaugurated with the arrival of the first vessel on the route, marking a major milestone in Duqm’s growing integration into global maritime trade.
The direct maritime link significantly strengthens Duqm’s position as a strategic logistics gateway on Oman’s Indian Ocean coast. It also expands the international connectivity network led by Asyad Group, supporting integrated logistics services and reinforcing the Port of Duqm’s role within global trade corridors.
With the inclusion of Duqm in CMA CGM’s global network, the shipping line has taken an important step in expanding its footprint across the Middle East and Africa. At the same time, the move reinforces the Sultanate of Oman’s ambition to establish itself as a competitive regional logistics hub serving multiple international markets.
Located at the heart of the Duqm Special Economic Zone, the Asyad Container Terminal is increasingly being positioned as a future hub for trade and industry. Linking the port to one of the world’s largest shipping networks enhances Oman’s presence in the regional logistics landscape and creates new opportunities for local industries to access global markets in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. The service is expected to be particularly beneficial for dry and refrigerated cargo, which are critical to modern supply chains.
Omar bin Mahmoud al Mahrizi, Chief Executive Officer of Asyad Ports and Freezones, said the partnership with CMA CGM represents a pivotal step in integrating the Asyad Container Terminal into global shipping routes. He noted that the decision by a leading international shipping company to include Duqm reflects strong confidence in the port’s operational efficiency and service quality.
Al Mahrizi added that the new service will strengthen Duqm’s visibility on the global ports map, expand opportunities for exporters and importers, and support the growth of key economic sectors. These developments, he said, will further consolidate the Port of Duqm’s position as an emerging hub on the Indian Ocean.
Tyashin Govinder, General Manager of CMA CGM in the Sultanate of Oman, described the launch of the service as a qualitative leap in delivering advanced logistics solutions, particularly for the fisheries and marine resources sector. He said the collaboration with Ocean Fisheries and the operation of the Ocean Fresh vessel underline CMA CGM’s commitment to connecting emerging markets through reliable, high-standard transport services.
Sulaiman bin Shatit al Ghannami, Chief Executive Officer of Ocean Fish Company, highlighted Duqm’s growing importance as a logistics centre for the fisheries sector. He noted that the port’s proximity to major fishing grounds and reduced turnaround times provide a clear competitive advantage, enabling faster deliveries and increased voyage frequency.
The new service further underlines the Port of Duqm’s strategic role in linking Africa, the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East. Equipped with modern infrastructure, including gantry cranes, rubber-tyred cranes, container handling equipment and advanced refrigerated facilities, the Asyad Container Terminal is well positioned to support expanding import and export flows and serve industrial and commercial clients across the region. — ONA