AL DUQM: The Port of Duqm received one of the world's largest Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) ships, owned by BYD, marking the first arrival of a vessel belonging to the company to the Sultanate of Oman, arriving from the People's Republic of China. This reflects the port's growing capabilities in handling large-scale vehicle shipments and enhances its role as a logistical platform connecting Asian markets with the Omani market and the markets of the GCC.
The carrying capacity of the ship stands at approximately 9,200 vehicles. During its voyage to the Port of Duqm, it carried 1,219 vehicles designated for GCC markets, where the entire shipment will be unloaded at the port, with more than 200 vehicles for the Omani market, while the remaining vehicles will be distributed across a number of Gulf markets, including Kuwait and Qatar.
The reception of this vessel underscores the Port of Duqm's readiness to receive large-capacity Ro-Ro ships and its ability to handle vehicle shipments efficiently, benefiting from its advanced infrastructure and operational and logistical capabilities, as its annual handling capacity for vehicles reaches about 300,000 vehicles.
The port features a 2.2-km commercial berth with a draft reaching up to 18 metres alongside the berth, qualifying it to receive large commercial ships and handle multiple types of cargo, alongside providing specialised vehicle handling services within Ro-Ro operations.
Reggy Vermeulen, CEO of the Port of Duqm, said that the arrival of the first vessel belonging to BYD at the Port of Duqm represents an important milestone in the development of vehicle handling operations, reflecting growing confidence in the port's capabilities and its role in regional trade.
He added that the port's strategic location on the Arabian Sea and outside the Strait of Hormuz, alongside its infrastructure and logistical capabilities, enhances its competitiveness as a gateway connecting Asian markets to the Sultanate of Oman and GCC countries, noting the existence of growing opportunities to attract more trade lines and serve international companies seeking more efficient access to regional markets.
He affirmed that the Port of Duqm will continue developing its capabilities and building strategic partnerships, thereby enhancing its role in supporting trade and investment movement, and contributing to consolidating the Sultanate of Oman's position as a regional hub for trade and logistics services.
The operation of unloading vehicles at the Port of Duqm and subsequently distributing them to several Gulf markets highlights the port's importance in supporting regional supply chains through an integrated system combining maritime transport, port infrastructure, and overland transport and distribution networks.
Furthermore, the Port of Duqm's strategic location on the Arabian Sea and outside the Strait of Hormuz enhances its ability to serve international trade lines and access markets in the Indian subcontinent, Asia, Africa, and GCC countries, thereby supporting the competitiveness of the transport and logistics sector in Oman.
This development comes within the context of efforts aimed at enhancing logistical connectivity and diversifying the national economy in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, as well as consolidating Oman's position as a regional hub for trade and logistics services and an attractive destination for investments. - ONA
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