Muscat – Two government-owned Omani marine bunkering firms, O Bunkering Company and Marafi Services Company, have completed their merger to establish a unified national entity under the name ‘O Bunkering’.

The merger represents a significant shift in the structure of Oman’s marine bunkering sector and is expected to enhance operational efficiency and service integration. It comes in response to evolving maritime supply chain requirements and market demands, with the aim of improving performance, unifying operational and financial capabilities, and expanding the range of services offered.

In a statement to the Oman News Agency, H E Saeed Hamood Al Mawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, said the O Bunkering-Marafi merger marks a qualitative leap in the institutional maturity of Omani companies operating in the logistics sector.

He noted that the merger brings together the assets, resources, capabilities and expertise of both firms, enabling the creation of a large commercial entity with enhanced operational efficiency, service quality and production capacity.

H E Mawali added that the move will support higher growth and sustainability for Omani companies, increase private sector contribution to the national economy, and advance economic diversification goals.

The development is also expected to raise the standards of marine services and ship bunkering across Oman’s ports through more integrated and efficient operational solutions, supported by modern management systems and advanced corporate governance and compliance practices.

In addition, the integration is set to enhance In-Country Value (ICV) and support the sustainability of Oman’s maritime sector, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 to position logistics as a key driver of economic growth.

H E Khamis Mohammed Al Shamakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Transport, said the merger reflects the commitment of national companies to strengthening the institutional framework of the logistics sector. “This will enhance the integration of roles, improve operational efficiency, support the delivery of more reliable and sustainable services, and reinforce Oman’s position as a regional hub for trade and maritime services,” he said.

Ali Amer Al Shaibani, CEO of O Bunkering, described the merger as a strategic step aligned with government ambitions and grounded in sector needs. He said it aims to build an integrated national system for ship bunkering that enhances competitiveness and sustainability in a sector that is central to maritime logistics.

Sulaiman Ali Al Hadhrami, CEO of Marafi Services, added that the merger marks the beginning of a new phase of growth and expansion. “The company will continue to deliver services to the highest standards of efficiency and reliability, while supporting operational integration and improving maritime supply chain performance through aligned capabilities and unified, data-driven operations,” he said.

He added that the company will focus on improving operational performance indicators, enhancing service reliability, adopting innovative solutions to strengthen sustainability, and expanding maritime and logistics services to meet evolving market requirements within and beyond the sultanate.

The merger of O Bunkering and Marafi Services is expected to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness at both regional and international levels, while reinforcing Oman’s position as a key hub for marine bunkering and related logistics services and improving the efficiency and reliability of maritime supply chains.