CMA CGM and Asyad Group Agree $400m Multipurpose Terminal Development at Sohar

## CMA CGM and Asyad Group Target $400m Sohar Terminal French liner and logistics conglomerate CMA CGM and Oman's state-owned Asyad Group have signed a framework agreement to develop and operate a new multipurpose logistics terminal at the Port of Sohar, according to Splash247. The project is expected to require investment of approximately $400 million and is designed to strengthen Oman's standing as a regional and international logistics hub. The agreement marks a significant vote of confidence in Sohar's strategic potential. Located on the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz, Sohar has steadily grown as a competitive alternative to the major transshipment hubs of the wider Gulf region, benefiting from its proximity to key east-west shipping lanes and a well-developed industrial hinterland. For CMA CGM, the deal extends the group's ongoing strategy of deepening vertical integration across port infrastructure and logistics assets globally. The company, led by chairman Rodolphe Saadé, has been an aggressive acquirer of terminal and logistics capacity in recent years, viewing owned infrastructure as a critical competitive advantage in an increasingly consolidated industry. Aysad Group, which oversees Oman's integrated logistics ecosystem including ports, shipping, and free zones, stands to benefit from CMA CGM's global network and operational expertise. The multipurpose nature of the planned terminal suggests it will be capable of handling a broad cargo mix, potentially including containers, bulk, and breakbulk freight — positioning Sohar to capture a wider share of regional trade flows. Financial close and construction timelines have not yet been disclosed, as the parties are currently operating under a framework agreement. Further details are expected as the project advances toward a definitive concession arrangement. The development reflects broader momentum in Gulf port investment, as regional governments continue to diversify their economies and compete for a greater share of global maritime trade volumes.