DUQM: Asyad Drydock, a key member of the Asyad Group, achieved a record-breaking year in 2024, completing 232 projects—the highest annual number since the facility began operations in 2011. With this milestone, the total number of completed projects has now surpassed 2,000.
Ahmed bin Ali al Balushi, CEO of Asyad Drydock and Infrastructure Services, revealed that the drydock has served more than 800 clients from 70 countries outside the Sultanate of Oman, showcasing its growing reputation and the trust placed in its technical and operational capabilities.
He emphasised the drydock’s growing contribution to the economic development of the Duqm Special Economic Zone. By attracting major international marine repair and maintenance projects, the facility is generating employment, strengthening support services, and drawing further industrial and logistics investments—cementing Duqm’s status as a leading regional maritime hub.
Al Balushi further highlighted the company’s strong commitment to in-country value (ICV). In 2024, Asyad Drydock awarded contracts worth RO 8.4 million to SMEs and RO 11.1 million to other local companies, accounting for 82 per cent of all contracts awarded. The company’s spending on local procurement reached RO 14 million, including RO 5.8 million on services and RO 2.3 million on locally manufactured goods.
As part of its supplier development programme, the company also shifted purchases worth over RO 414,000 from international to local suppliers, particularly in areas like industrial diving and technical material supplies, further reinforcing Oman’s national supply chain.
In terms of quality and sustainability, the company achieved notable milestones, including securing American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) certification for the repair of mega-vessel propeller blades, adopting environmentally friendly painting techniques, and deploying robotic hull cleaning technologies.
Revenues for the first half of 2025 rose by 15 per cent year-on-year, reflecting continued financial improvement. Al Balushi confirmed that the company is advancing its expansion strategy, with a strong focus on digital transformation, skills development, and international partnerships.
He added that Asyad Drydock is also exploring new business areas, especially within the oil and gas sectors. The company aims to provide offshore platform services and expand into key international markets such as Africa, Japan, and the United States. These efforts are expected to attract more vessels to Duqm and elevate customer satisfaction. — ONA
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