Asyad Group inks pacts to advance smarter logistics

BUSINESS REPORTER
SALALAH, SEPT 7
Asyad Group, the global integrated logistics provider, has signed three agreements on the sidelines of the Gulf Green Mobility Forum, held in Salalah. The agreements span autonomous freight transport, green hydrogen mobility solutions and onshore power supply (OPS) for vessels at ports. They mark an important step towards deploying new technologies and solutions across the Group’s logistics and maritime operations, contributing to the development of a smarter, more sustainable and lower-emission logistics ecosystem, in line with the Sultanate of Oman’s direction to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The three partnerships reflect Asyad’s approach to emerging technologies: testing them in real-world operating environments and building the operational expertise and data required to assess their viability and identify opportunities to scale solutions that prove effective.
Ahmed Al Bulushi, Chief Executive Officer of Asyad Drydock and Infrastructure Services at Asyad Group, commented: “These partnerships enable us to turn emerging technologies into tangible operational trials, giving us the practical insight needed to assess their impact on improving operational efficiency and reducing emissions. At Asyad, we focus on adopting sustainable, scalable solutions that create long-term value for the transport and maritime sectors, supporting the sector’s competitiveness and reinforcing the Sultanate of Oman’s position as a global logistics hub.”
Autonomous Vehicles at Ports and Free Zones
In smart transport, Asyad Group plans to implement a pilot project for autonomous vehicle technologies dedicated to freight transport at the Port of Sohar and Salalah Free Zone, in partnership with Zelos Technology. The project aims to assess the performance and efficiency of these technologies under real-world operating conditions, evaluate safety levels and determine their suitability for logistics operational requirements, providing the Group with a practical basis for identifying opportunities to expand their use in the future.
Green Hydrogen for Transport and Logistics
In green hydrogen, Asyad Group has signed a term sheet with OQ Alternative Energy (OQAE), paving the way for a long-term hydrogen offtake agreement. Under the proposed agreement, Asyad would receive more than 91,000 kilograms of low-carbon hydrogen annually, produced using renewable energy and supplied through a dedicated refuelling station in Duqm for use in powering the Group’s vehicle fleet. Once the station becomes operational, this volume is expected to support between 8 and 10 heavy-duty hydrogen trucks per day, displacing around 1,100 litres of conventional fuel used daily. The agreement represents a practical step in Asyad’s transition towards cleaner fuel sources and will also help establish demand for hydrogen within the Sultanate of Oman’s emerging mobility sector.
Onshore Power Supply for Vessels
In maritime infrastructure, Asyad Group has signed an agreement with Moon Rock Research & Development LLC (MRD) to assess the feasibility of implementing an onshore power supply system for vessels at ports, with Asyad Drydock in Duqm set to be the first site evaluated under the initiative. The initial phase will focus on assessing suitable berths, grid connectivity, technical requirements and commercial viability, laying the groundwork for the potential expansion of onshore power supply across Asyad’s wider port portfolio and contributing to lower emissions from vessels while at berth.
Together, the three partnerships demonstrate Asyad Group’s transition from developing emissions-reduction strategies to putting them into practice, reinforcing the Group’s role in leading the future of low-carbon mobility in the Sultanate of Oman and contributing to Oman Vision 2040 and the country’s net-zero 2050 targets.