UK-based engineering services firm Babcock International and Oman Drydock Company have formed a joint venture to develop the naval facilities at Duqm Port.

The facility that will be developed will provide maintenance and support to warships and support vessels from across the globe, a statement from Babcock said. This will include in its initial stage providing support for the fleet of the Royal Navy of Oman, the Royal Oman Police Guard, the UK Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

The completion of the joint venture arrangements corresponded with the visit on 21 November to Oman of UK Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox MP. Babcock said the agreement underpins the UK’s commitment to support “the development of Duqm as a strategic location to create valuable employment in the area and secure future opportunities.”

Fox said that the use of the Duqm Port by the Royal Navy is a testament that the two countries have a very strong defence relationship at the present time and that this is expected to continue into the future, according to a local media report.

Apart from a ship repair yard and dry dock, other facilities are planned or under construction at Duqm Port.

Duqm Development Company awarded the US’ Aecom a contract to masterplan the $20bn Duqm Frontier Town in 2015.

 The Special Economic Zone at Duqm covers 1,745 square kilometres, with a coastline length of 70km.

About 800 sq km will be developed initially, with the remaining space for future expansion. Duqm Port and airport are already operational, while a $6bn refinery and $1bn liquid bulk terminal are in the tendering process.

Sezad plans to make Duqm refinery the anchor for an industrial area, and attract investment. Several tourism developments have also secured land deals.

In August, the Special Economic Zone Authority of Duqm awarded a $157.6m contract to local Galfar Engineering & Contracting for the dredging of the harbour basin to up to six metres and land reclamation to construct port service buildings.

The work includes the construction of breakwaters with a total length of 3.4 km, an 850m fixed pier for fishing purposes and a 50-metre fixed pier for the Royal Oman Police.