Astoool and Marafi Services, a port management and operations company, have announced the completion of their merger and the establishment of a unified national entity operating under the name ‘Astoool,’ reflecting a notable step forward in Oman’s maritime logistics sector.
The integration is designed to strengthen operational efficiency, unify capabilities, and expand service offerings in response to evolving market demands and the increasing complexity of maritime supply chains.
The move enhances service integration and improves performance standards across the sector. The merger supports the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which identifies logistics as a key driver of economic diversification and growth.
By consolidating resources, expertise, and infrastructure, the newly unified entity aims to enhance local value creation and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the maritime industry in the Sultanate.
The combined platform is expected to deliver more integrated and efficient operational solutions across Oman’s ports, supported by advanced management systems and strengthened governance frameworks. This will help raise service standards in ship supply and maritime support services while improving reliability across supply chains.
The integration also places a strong emphasis on human capital development. With expanding organizational capacity, the merger is expected to enhance job stability, create new career development opportunities, and support knowledge transfer within the sector.
These efforts are aimed at strengthening the capabilities of Omani professionals to lead and manage advanced maritime operations.
HE Saeed bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, described the merger as a major step in advancing institutional maturity within Oman’s logistics sector.
Al Maawali noted that combining the assets and capabilities of both companies will enable the new entity to operate at a higher level of efficiency and competitiveness both locally and regionally.
His Excellency Khamis bin Mohammed Al Shamkhi, Undersecretary for Transport, highlighted that the move reflects a broader commitment among national companies to strengthen sector integration, improve operational performance, and deliver more reliable and sustainable services.
Ali bin Amer Al-Shaibani, CEO of Astoool, stated that the merger represents a strategic step toward building a fully integrated national system in the ship-supply sector capable of enhancing competitiveness and sustainability.
Sulaiman bin Ali Al Hadrami, CEO of Marafi Services, added that the integration marks the beginning of a new phase of growth, with a focus on improving operational efficiency, expanding service scope, and adopting data-driven and innovative solutions.
