History of Duqm

From a Fishing Village to a Strategic Hub

For a long time, Duqm remained a modest settlement on the coast of the Arabian Sea, known only to locals and the occasional traveller. Unlike the ancient cities in the north of the country, massive defensive walls were not erected here in the Middle Ages. The history of this place is, above all, a chronicle of survival in the harsh conditions of a desert coast, where a small fishing village lived in harmony with nature for centuries before the era of global modernisation began.

Key Factors of Establishment

The development of the settlement was defined by a unique combination of geographical and natural conditions:

• Strategic Geography: Its location at the junction of the desert and the open ocean made this place an important point for seasonal stopovers. The wide beaches served as a natural harbour for boats.
• Marine Resources: The richness of the coastal waters in fish and seafood became the main magnet for the first settlers, providing them with sustenance and goods for trade.
• Security: The distance from political centres and the inaccessibility of the Al Wusta region historically protected the locals from major conflicts, allowing them to preserve their traditional way of life.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of the early period in Oman, and especially in this region, was built on the symbiosis of sea and land. The inhabitants led a semi-nomadic lifestyle: during the fishing season, life bustled on the shore, while in other periods, the population shifted inland, engaging in camel and goat herding.

The culture of the region was formed under the influence of tribal traditions and a close bond with the sea. Archaeological finds in the vicinity, including ancient stone tools and traces of encampments, indicate that people have been mastering these lands for millennia, using them as an important transit point on routes along the coast of the Arabian Peninsula.

Development Chronology

• Ancient Period — Early 21st Century: Duqm exists as a small seasonal settlement of fishermen and Bedouins living a traditional lifestyle.
• 2006: The Government of Oman makes a strategic decision on the large-scale development of the region and the transformation of the town into a major logistics hub.
• 2011: The Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD) is officially established by Royal Decree to manage development projects.
• 2012: The Oman Drydock Company ship repair complex begins operations, receiving the first marine vessels for maintenance.
• 2013: The Port of Duqm begins early commercial operations, opening its berths for cargo activities.
• 2014: A temporary airport terminal is commissioned, receiving the first scheduled domestic flights from Muscat.
• 2016: An agreement is signed to create the China-Oman Industrial Park, becoming an important step in attracting investment.
• 2017: A ceremony is held to lay the foundation stone for a massive oil refinery.
• 2018: A new modern passenger airport terminal opens, designed to accommodate international airlines.
• 2019: The active construction phase of the main technological units of the joint Omani-Kuwaiti refinery begins.
• 2021: The port is equipped with powerful STS cranes, allowing it to fully service large container ships.
• 2022: The first major agreements are concluded for allocating land plots for "green" hydrogen production projects.
• 2023: Construction of the largest multi-purpose fishing port in the region is completed.
• February 2024: The Duqm Refinery (OQ8) is officially opened, becoming the core of the city's industrial zone.

Major Milestones in the City's Transformation

The story of the transformation of Duqm from a quiet harbour into an industrial oasis is an example of rapid urbanisation in the 21st century. Each stage of development did not just add new facilities to the map, but radically changed the lifestyle of the region, opening it to the world and creating a comfortable environment for travellers and investors.

• Creation of the Legal Framework (SEZAD). The establishment of the Special Economic Zone Authority became the foundation for the entire project. This event defined the master plan, dividing the territory into industrial, tourism, and residential clusters, allowing the city to grow in an organised rather than chaotic manner.
• Launch of the Dry Dock and Port. The opening of these facilities marked the city's entry onto the international stage. For the city, this meant the creation of the first major jobs, an influx of specialists from abroad, and the beginning of a multicultural environment, which was uncharacteristic for remote provinces.
• Opening of the International Airport. The appearance of an air harbour was a turning point for tourism. Whereas previously one could only get here after a long drive through the desert, regular flights made the region's resorts and natural attractions accessible to guests in a matter of hours.
• Construction of the Hotel Cluster. The appearance of international hotel brands (such as Crowne Plaza and Park Inn) changed the urban landscape. This created the necessary conditions for business tourists and holidaymakers, turning the wild coast into a zone of comfortable recreation with a high level of service.
• Commissioning of the Oil Refinery (OQ8). The launch of this giant became a symbol of the region's economic maturity. For the city, this means the development of supporting infrastructure: new roads, residential complexes for staff, and improved quality of public services, which tourists also use.
• Development of "Green" Energy Projects. The modern stage, associated with the production of hydrogen and solar energy, forms a new image for the city. Oman is betting on eco-friendliness, which attracts the attention of eco-tourists and emphasises the desire to preserve the balance between industry and the unique nature of the desert.

Urban Planning Concept: A City Built from Scratch

The architectural appearance of Duqm is unique in that the historical layers familiar to old cities are practically absent here. This is a vivid example of "greenfield development"—building a metropolis in an open field, or rather, in a desert by the sea. While European capitals traversed the path from Gothic to Modern over centuries, this city made a quantum leap from a traditional way of life straight into the era of high-tech and 21st-century urbanism.

The master development plan, approved by the Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZAD), divides the space into clear functional clusters: industrial, tourism, residential, and logistics. This creates an ordered structure where wide avenues sit adjacent to modern residential complexes, and industrial giants are located away from recreation zones.

Architectural Styles and Eras

In the city's development, two conditional periods can be distinguished, each corresponding to a specific style and way of life:

• Traditional Omani Style (Pre-21st Century): The era of a small fishing settlement. Buildings of this period are simple, single-storey, functional structures of white or sandy colour, designed to protect against the heat. They are distinguished by minimalism and a lack of decoration, dictated by the harsh conditions of life in the desert.
• Contemporary Modernism and High-Tech (From the 2010s): The current era of active construction. Glass, concrete, and steel dominate. Buildings are designed with energy efficiency and climate control in mind. The style is characterised by concise geometric forms, panoramic glazing, and the integration of national Arabian motifs into modern structures.

Iconic Buildings and Districts

Modern Oman strives to make its new cities not only functional but also aesthetic. Points of attraction have already formed in Duqm, defining its visual code:

• Airport Passenger Terminal: An example of modern transport architecture. The building is executed in a futuristic style with flowing lines reminiscent of dunes or sea waves, symbolising the region's connection with nature.
• Tourism District (Hotel District): International chain hotels (such as Crowne Plaza and Park Inn) are located here. Their architecture represents resort modernism: low-rise buildings, the use of natural stone in finishing, open terraces, and landscape design that blends the buildings into the coastal scenery.
• Saay Commercial District: The new centre of urban life, where modern residential complexes and mixed-use office buildings are being erected. A "smart city" environment is forming here with pedestrian zones and developed infrastructure.
• SEZAD Headquarters: An administrative building reflecting the city's status as an economic hub. The strict geometry and monumentality of the structure emphasise the seriousness of the region's ambitions.

Prominent Figures in the City's Development History

Since Duqm is a young city that emerged thanks to a massive government project, the list of personalities associated with it consists mainly of rulers, visionaries, and leaders who turned the desert coast into an economic centre. Researchers who documented the life of the region before the onset of urbanisation also play an important role.

• Sultan Qaboos bin Said (1940–2020)
  Sultan of Oman, founder of the modern state
  The chief ideologue and initiator of the creation of the Special Economic Zone in Duqm. It was his strategic vision of the country's future without total dependence on oil exports that led to the decision to build a giant port and industrial city on the site of a fishing village, which would become the new "gateway" to Oman.
• Sultan Haitham bin Tarik (born 1954)
  The Ruling Sultan of Oman
  Successor to his predecessor's work, overseeing the implementation of the "Oman 2040" strategy, in which Duqm is assigned a key role. He personally participated in the opening of the city's largest facilities, including the oil refinery, and actively promotes "green" energy projects in the region.
• Wilfred Thesiger (1910–2003)
  British traveller, writer, and explorer
  Also known by the name Mubarak bin London. In the mid-20th century, he completed famous crossings of the Rub' al Khali desert and explored the Al Wusta region. His books and photographs are an invaluable source of information about the daily life, traditions, and culture of local tribes (specifically the Al Junaiba tribe) before the era of modernisation began.
• Yahya bin Said Al Jabri
  Statesman, first Chairman of SEZAD
  The first head of the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD). He played a decisive role in the city's formative stage: under his leadership, the master plan was developed, basic infrastructure was built, and the first international investments were attracted, kickstarting the city's active growth in the 2010s.
• Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (born 1940)
  Emir of Kuwait
  A key figure in the history of the city's international cooperation. With his support, the OQ8 refinery project was realised—the largest joint investment between two Gulf countries, which became the core of Duqm's industrial cluster.