Oman Air SAOC (Oman Air) and SATS Ltd. (SATS), through its wholly-owned subsidiary SATS Investments Ptd. Ltd., has signed a joint venture agreement for cargo handling at Muscat International Airport (MIA).
Under the agreement, Oman Air will transfer its cargo handling business and related assets to its wholly-owned subsidiary Oman Air Cargo LLC. Subsequently, SATS will acquire a 33 percent equity stake in the subsidiary. The joint venture company will then be renamed Oman SATS Cargo LLC.
Oman SATS Cargo will have an issued and paidup share capital of OMR 500,000 (approximately $1.76 million), comprising 500,000 ordinary shares of OMR1.
It is expected to commence operations during the second quarter of 2016. It will become the single source provider of cargo handling services first at the existing cargo facility and then at the new state-of-the-art cargo terminal in MIA.
SATS will provide the requisite management and technical know-how to the joint venture, including staff training as well as reviewing of existing cargo processes and operations work flow at the new cargo terminal in Muscat.
Paul Gregorowitsch, Oman Air’s CEO, said: “The joint venture with SATS is one of our initiatives intended to prepare
for the growth in airline operations in the coming years as well as secure a quality improvement in the services provided to our cargo customers. With SATS as our partner, we believe that the subsequent growth of the new company will result in increased employment and career development opportunities for Omani citizens.”
Alex Hungate, SATS’ president and CEO, said: “This strategic partnership with Oman Air will enhance connectivity for our cargo customers across Asia and strengthen Oman’s position as a transit hub. We also see opportunities to develop cold-chain handling capabilities and promote carriage of premium and temperature-controlled airfreight for Oman Air and other airlines.”
Oman Air, SATS form cargo handling venture
Oman Air, SATS form cargo handling venture
Alfanar Projects wins MEED Award for ‘Industrial Project of the Year’
Alfanar Projects has been recognized as a “national winner” at the MEED Projects Awards 2025, for its role as the main contractor in the landmark Tuwaiq Casting and Forging Plant, which was awarded “Industrial Project of the Year.”
Developed through a strategic partnership between the Saudi Arabian Industrial Investments Company, or Dussur, Saudi Aramco, and Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction, the Tuwaiq Casting and Forging Plant represents a cornerstone in the Kingdom’s drive to establish a world-class industrial base, localize advanced manufacturing capabilities, and strengthen national supply chains.
Situated in Ras Al-Khair Industrial City, the plant spans over 400,000 square meters, encompassing 39 major buildings and an extensive network of infrastructure and external works. Alfanar Projects delivered the project on a lump-sum turnkey basis, executing more than 122,000 cubic meters of concrete, erecting 25,000 tons of structural steel, installing hundreds of kilometers of underground piping and cabling, and implementing advanced electrical and mechanical systems to global engineering standards.
With a production capacity of 60,000 tons per year, utilizing state-of-the-art sand casting and open-die forging technologies, the plant will play a pivotal role in serving critical sectors such as the oil and gas industry, maritime industries, and heavy equipment manufacturing, while advancing Saudi Arabia’s goals of industrial localization and self-sufficiency.
Jamal Wadi, president of Alfanar Projects, said: “The Tuwaiq Casting and Forging Plant embodies the pinnacle of what engineering can achieve when coupled with determination. The project brought together complex architectural and structural challenges with advanced engineering solutions, which we executed with precision and efficiency. This landmark facility stands as a testament to our deep expertise as an industrial contractor and to our ability to harness engineering excellence in building strategic projects that underpin the Kingdom’s economic future.”
The MEED Projects Awards, organized in partnership with Mashreq Bank, are among the most prestigious accolades in the region, celebrating excellence in project delivery across sectors. Alfanar Projects’ recognition underscores its role as a leading national contractor, committed to delivering world-class industrial infrastructure projects that support the Kingdom’s long-term vision for sustainable growth and industrial leadership.
The leading engineering and construction company is dedicated to advancing the Kingdom’s infrastructure and industrial landscape in alignment with Vision 2030. Through its commitment to sustainable development, Alfanar Projects supports the growth of key sectors, including building construction, urban infrastructure, renewable energy, and grid modernization across Saudi Arabia and internationally. With an emphasis on localization, innovation, and sustainability, Alfanar Projects continues to deliver world-class solutions that contribute to the Kingdom’s ambitious economic and social transformation.
