Duqm City Guide
Duqm, once a small fishing village on Oman’s central Arabian Sea coast, is being transformed into one of the Middle East’s largest economic developments. The Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) covers 2,000 square kilometres and encompasses a deepwater port, dry dock, refinery, and industrial zones designed to attract billions of dollars in investment.
Key Facts
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Zone Area | 2,000 sq km |
| Planned Investment | $15+ billion |
| Dry Dock Capacity | VLCCs up to 600,000 DWT |
| Refinery Capacity | 230,000 barrels per day |
| Governance | SEZAD Authority |
Special Economic Zone
SEZAD offers investors a comprehensive package including 100 percent foreign ownership, 30-year renewable tax exemptions, customs duty relief, and simplified visa and labour procedures. The zone is governed by its own authority with streamlined regulatory processes independent of standard ministry procedures.
Port and Dry Dock
The Port of Duqm provides direct access to the Arabian Sea and international shipping lanes without navigating the Strait of Hormuz. Duqm Dry Dock is one of the largest in the Middle East, capable of servicing very large crude carriers (VLCCs). The combined port and dry dock facilities support both commercial shipping and naval operations.
Duqm Refinery
The Duqm Refinery, a joint venture between OQ and Kuwait Petroleum International, processes 230,000 barrels of crude oil per day into refined products for export markets. The refinery commenced operations in 2023 and is a cornerstone investment for the zone.
Chinese Investment
The Sino-Oman Industrial City within SEZAD is a major Chinese investment hub, with projects spanning petrochemicals, building materials, automotive assembly, and consumer goods manufacturing. This industrial cluster strengthens Oman-China economic relations and positions Duqm on the Belt and Road Initiative.
Future Development
Planned developments include a fishing port, tourism district, residential communities, a new airport, and green hydrogen production facilities. Duqm’s masterplan envisions a fully self-contained city of 100,000 residents with supporting social and commercial infrastructure.