Muscat – Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO) launched a new bunker terminal at the Port of Duqm. Strategically located on Oman’s south-east coast, the new marine fuel terminal will serve the international shipping market given its close proximity to significant shipping traffic accessing the Suez Canal, Arabian Gulf, and Indian Ocean.

“OOMCO’s development of the Duqm Bunker Terminal is part of Oman’s Vision 2040 development plan to diversify the sultanate’s economy, including the marine and logistics sectors, while leveraging the country’s strategic location,” Hilal Ali al Kharusi, chairman of OOMCO, said in a statement.

“The future of the logistics sector in Oman gets stronger with such initiatives that link us with the rest of the world. We are positive that this project will enable more economic diversification and position Oman as a world-class international logistics hub,” he added.

The new Port of Duqm terminal will offer the highest specification HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO marine fuels in compliance with ISO 8217, and has been designed to meet the increasing demands for quality marine fuel, including all low sulphur fuel-compliant marine fuels.

Bunkers will also be delivered by barge, with the addition of the 10,000 metric tonnes. The services available at OOMCO Bunker Terminal will ensure that all bunker deliveries will meet the highest international specification standards.

The terminal will operate in full compliance with the health and safety protocols of the Port of Duqm and in line with Omani COVID-19 regulations. Vessels calling at Duqm can also take advantage of a range of high-quality and diverse services at the port, including pilotage, freshwater supply, waste collection, tug services, crew change, de-slopping services, ship handling, ship spares and dry dock services.

“The bunker fuel market in the Middle-East and Africa region is expected to grow at more than 12 per cent during the period of 2022-2025. The commissioning of the bunker terminal means OOMCO can now offer the growing number of Duqm fleet customers, access to high-quality marine fuels that meet their requirements coupled with state-of-the-art facilities, support infrastructure and above all effective supply chain,” said Hussain Jama Bait Ishaq, acting CEO of OOMCO.

“Through this milestone, we are taking a step forward to achieving our goal to be among the top fuel bunker suppliers in the GCC by 2027,” he added.

OOMCO’s bunkering services are underpinned by the nearby Duqm Refinery, which, when completed, will have the capacity for 230,000 barrels per day. In addition, the nearby Ras Markaz storage terminal is also currently under construction, geared to offer 6mn barrels of storage capacity once completed in 2022. An additional capacity of 19mn barrels is earmarked for the site as part of its future development.

“We are extremely proud to see our new bunker terminal open for business at the port of Duqm. This world-class facility is located close to some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, and will operate to the highest standards of safety, quality and service. For domestic, regional and international shipping, Duqm offers a smart, efficient alternative to diverting to other ports in the region, saving time and money, and avoiding the risk of further delay,” said Ali Ahmed Muqaibal, general manager – international retail at OOMCO.