Asyad Group

Asyad Group

Industry	Logistics, Transportation, Supply Chain and Storage
Predecessor	Asyad Group
Founded	2016 (2016)
Headquarters	Muscat, Oman
Services	Logistics, Transportation, Shipping, Port Management, Public Transportation, Free-zone management, Investments, Drydock, Postal Services, Rail Services, Ferry Services, Container Terminals Management, and Supply Chain Management
Website	asyad.om

Asyad Group is a global integrated logistics service provider based in Oman. It offers comprehensive logistics solutions through ports, free zones, and maritime assets, making it one of the largest providers of logistics services in the Arabian Peninsula.

Asyad Group has established a regional and global presence with its three deep ports, two free zones, an economic zone, a dry dock, and a dry port, all supported by Oman’s five airports and world-class road network. The group offers a wide range of integrated logistics services, including container line, freight forwarding, cold chain, warehousing, e-commerce fulfillment, and express and last-mile delivery.

In addition to ports and shipping, the group's maritime services include a diverse fleet of over 80 vessels and one of the largest dry docks in the Middle East, supplemented by an expanding sea network connecting Oman to key ports across the region and the world.

History

Asyad Group was founded in 2016 to consolidate the logistics assets of the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Its mission was to transform Oman into a global logistics hub. The group is headquartered in Muscat, the capital city of Oman.

Backed by an initial government infrastructure spending of USD 20 billion, the USD 4 billion Asyad Group brought together several Omani companies operating in logistics, shipping, maritime services, port operation, free zones, dry dock, mail and last-mile delivery, and public transport.

Under the leadership of Abdulrahman Salim Al Hatmi, serving as Group Chief Executive Officer, Asyad Group has experienced significant growth and recorded a total CAGR of 94% between 2016 and 2022. Asyad announced in 2022 record profits of over OMR 400 million (45% increase from 2021) and over OMR 60 million in profit (11% increase from 2021).

In its 2022 annual report, Asyad Group reported total assets of OMR 1.5 billion and a portfolio that includes three freezones, three medium and small ports, three main ports, an 84-vessel fleet, over 200 postal outlets, a 487-bus fleet and six ferries. In addition, Asyad’s employee headcount exceeded 8,000 employees.

Asyad Shipping

Asyad Shipping, part of Asyad Group, provides flexible and integrated logistics solutions to businesses operating in or interested in entering the growing Middle East and Africa markets. The company operates a diverse fleet of over 80 vessels with a total deadweight capacity of 9.7 million tons, including Ultramax bulk carriers, very large crude carriers, very large gas carriers, product tankers, LNG carriers, chemical carriers, very large ore carriers, dry bulk carriers, and regional container line services.

Asyad Group’s shipping arm has been consistently expanding its fleet since 2016. Earlier in 2023, Asyad Shipping added a brand-new 2800 TEU vessel and signed an agreement with Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, to add two state-of-the-art fifth-generation LNG carriers by 2026.

With a global reach of over 200 ports and more than 40 countries, Asyad Shipping also offers end-to-end logistics solutions and maritime transportation services, including ship ownership, ship chartering, and technical ship management.

Asyad Drydock

Asyad Drydock is located at the Port of Duqm on the southeastern seaboard of Oman, strategically positioned near vital global shipping routes, which allows for reduced deviation times. The drydock features a 2,800-meter quay, a water depth of 9 – 10 meters, 14 sets of jib cranes, and two graving docks, in addition to a floating dock that was acquired in 2022. These significant technical capabilities enable the dry dock to efficiently handle vessels up to 600,000 DWT.

Since beginning operations in 2011, Asyad Drydock has expanded its services beyond LNG and VLCC vessels to include gas carriers, car carriers, bulk carriers, pipe layers, heavy lift ships, cruise vessels, and oil tankers. The drydock provides a full range of vessel repair services, including engineering, electrical, propulsion, accommodation upgrades, fittings, blasting, painting, procurement, testing, trials and class surveys.

In 2022, Asyad Drydock handled 221 projects, signed agreements for two shipbuilding projects, and posted a net profit of OMR 12 million.

Ports

Asyad Group is the largest port operator in Oman, managing several ports of different sizes and scopes, mainly the three main ports of Salalah, Sohar and Duqm. The strategic location of these ports opening to the Sea of Oman, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, is complemented by their connectivity to 86 commercial ports in more than 40 countries. As a result, there are 200 direct weekly trips for exports and imports, making Oman a key access point to the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and East Africa.

In 2022, Asyad’s main ports received more than 6,500 vessels and experienced an 8% growth in its operations compared to 2021. The three ports also handled over 62.3 million tons of general cargo (10% growth from 2021), over 23.7 million tons of liquids (22% growth from 2021) and more than 5.2 million TEUs.

• The Port of Salalah is managed and operated by Salalah Port Services Company, a joint venture between Asyad and APM Terminals. It is a multipurpose port which includes a container terminal with 7 berths and a general cargo terminal with 11 berths with a total quay length of 2,800 meters. It handles a wide range of cargo, including containers, bulk and project cargo, and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.

• The Port of Sohar is a multipurpose industrial and logistics hub, formed as a 50:50 joint venture between the Government of Oman and the Port of Rotterdam. It has a total quay length of 2,800 meters and offers a comprehensive range of services, including container handling, dry bulk and liquid cargo operations. The port also features a free zone and a logistics park.

• Port of Duqm is operated by the Port of Duqm Company (PODC), a joint venture between the Government of Oman (represented by Asyad Group) and the Belgian Consortium Antwerp Port (CAP), established between Port of Antwerp-Bruges International and DEME Concessions. It is a 170 km2, multipurpose port located on the southeastern seaboard of Oman. With a total quay length of 2,200 meters, it offers facilities for a wide range of cargo, including containers, dry bulk and liquid cargo. The port also includes a free zone, an industrial zone and a logistics park, alongside multiple terminals, including container, dry bulk, navy, and RORO, with a swinging basin of 18m and a channel depth of 19m.

Asyad Ports also manages and operates several small and medium ports, including Port Sultan Qaboos, Port Suwaiq, Port Shinas and the first dry port in Oman, Khazaen Dry Port. Having recorded 88% growth in their operation in 2022, these ports serve as emerging gateways for global logistics customers seeking rapid access to Oman and the wider region.

Free Zones

Asyad Group operates two free zones: Sohar Freezone and Salalah Freezone. Both free zones are located on the East-West Shipping Lane and offer investors advanced infrastructure, tailored facilities, and comprehensive investment packages that include tax exemptions, 100% foreign ownership and streamlined business setup and kick-off processes.

Sohar Freezone, strategically located adjacent to the Port of Sohar, spans an area of 45 km2. It offers various investment opportunities in industries such as petrochemicals, metals, logistics, food processing, and manufacturing. Sohar Freezone houses 26 companies, including those in the automotive, metal manufacturing and logistics sectors, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises across different industries.

Salalah Freezone, located adjacent to the Port of Salalah, was established in 2016 and covers an area of 21 sqm. It provides a platform for businesses in sectors such as light manufacturing, food processing, logistics and distribution.

Economic Zone

Asyad Group's economic zone, Khazaen Economic City (KEC), is an integrated logistics city located between Oman’s capital city of Muscat and the Sultanate’s industrial hub of Sohar. KEC aims to attract investment and facilitate economic diversification by providing a business-friendly environment with world-class infrastructure and logistics services. The economic city spans an area of over 51 km2 and offers a diverse selection of land plots and industrial facilities equipped for various industries, including manufacturing, logistics and warehousing. Additionally, KEC houses free zones, light and medium industries and corporate offices and provides logistics and warehousing services.

Oman Post & Asyad Express

Oman Post and Asyad Express provides postal and logistics services, including e-post and e-commerce delivery, along with traditional and virtual P.O. boxes.

With over 200 postal outlets and a network of top global postal service providers, the company ensures efficient delivery services across the globe which led to its ranking as the world’s 3rd best mail company on the customer satisfaction index. Meanwhile, Asyad Express acts as Asyad Group’s last-mile delivery arm and serves businesses in finance, e-commerce, manufacturing and other sectors.

Oman Post & Asyad Express’ express mail solutions have propelled Oman to the top of the global ranking in express mail service (EMS) in 2022, according to the Universal Postal Union.

Sustainability Initiatives

Asyad Group’s undertakes numerous sustainability initiatives across its logistics functions and plays a key role in realizing the sustainability objectives identified in Oman Vision 2040, the country’s development masterplan.

To that end, Asyad Group adopted a sustainability framework that is built upon five pillars: Environmental stewardship, sustainable growth, robust governance, thriving workplace, and community engagement.

Withing this framework, the group has undertaken initiatives and programs that include deploying state-of-the-art ambient environmental monitoring networks, adopting energy transition frameworks, implementing the Smart SOHAR project, and rolling out sustainable transportation solutions through Mwasalat, Oman’s national transportation company and part of Asyad Group.

In maritime for example, Sohar Port supports the Environment Ship Index Incentive that performs beyond the current emission reduction standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The port also rewards ESI ships with discounts and incentives through the Green Award Scheme.

Additionally, Asyad Group has undertaken an artificial reef project at Sohar Port, which hosts the first and only waste reception facility in Oman, designed in line with the MARPOL agreement.

The group also won the Gold Award in the Medium to Large Businesses category during Oman Sustainability Week (OSW) 2023.

Asyad is committed to supporting Oman’s net-zero target by 2050 and decarbonizing its own operations by around 20% at Sohar Port in the next five years and fulfilling its green hydrogen plans.

Asyad Group has also sought out partnerships to carry out large-scale sustainability plans. In 2022, the group signed memoranda of understanding with OQ, Maersk and Sumitomo Corporation to explore Oman’s competitive advantages to become a leading global hub and exporter of green fuel.

Rankings, Awards and Recognitions

• Forbes Middle East ranked Asyad Group as the 4th-biggest Logistics Company in MENA (2021).
• Asyad Group received the Gold Award in the Medium to Large Businesses category during Oman Sustainability Week (2023).
• Asyad Shipping won Ship Manager of the Year at the Maritime Standard Awards 2022.
• Asyad Shipping won the Bulk Shipping Company of the Year award by the Maritime Standards (2021).
• Asyad Drydock was awarded the Best Ship Repair Yard in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent by the Ship Tech International Conference and Awards (2022).
• ASYAD Drydock won the Silver Award by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

External links

• Official website
• Asyad Group on Facebook
• Asyad Group on Twitter
• Asyad Group on LinkedIn