The transport and logistics market in the Middle East, encompassing ground transport, air/sea freight, freight forwarding, warehousing, and supply chain management, has witnessed double-digit growth in recent years, according to a new report by Booz & Company, a global management consulting firm.

Ground transport, air and sea freight will likely grow at approximately 7 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Logistics services which comprise warehousing, contract logistics, and freight forwarding will have a substantially higher annual growth rate of more than 10 per cent.

The report says that the current economic crisis is expected to have a moderate impact on profit margins across most segments but the long-term profitability outlook remains positive. The question facing the logistics sector therefore is how to master the challenges ahead and benefit from the long term growth prospects.

Riding the wave of such potential growth, TransOman, the inaugural event for the transport, shipping and logistics sector, has been organised by Oman International Trade and Exhibitions (OITE) to boost the country’s logistics element. The event will be held from October 13 to 15 at the Oman International Exhibition Centre. A conference on transportation, innovation and challenges will be held on the 14th and 15th alongside the exhibition at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Seeb, Muscat.

A TransOman Advisory Committee is chaired by Warith Al Kharusi.

Industry players who have shown support for the inaugural show are Sohar Industrial Port Company, Bahwan-Wagenborg, Gulf Agency Company (Oman), Al Madina Logistics Services Co, Oman Air Cargo, DHL Global Forwarding, Oman Integrated Logistics Services, Falcon Air Services & Transport Co, Inchcape Shipping Services, Ceva Logistics LLC, Middle East Shipping & Transport Company LLC, Deugro, Arshiya Logistics and DET Norske Veritas amongst others.