Port of Duqm, Shell Oman to Develop Fuel Bunkering Facilities
Shell Oman Marketing Company SAOG signed an agreement with Port of Duqm Company SAOC (PDC) to develop fuel bunkering facilities and services.
The downstream oil marketing company in the Sultanate said in a press release that agreement was signed by Dr. Mohammed Mahmood Al Balushi, Chief Executive Officer of SOM, and Reggy Vermeulen, CEO of PDC.
The agreement establishes bunkering terminal to provide different grades of quality fuels and lubricants as well as other ancillary facilities to marine liners calling at Port of Duqm, a 50:50 joint venture between the Oman Government and Port of Antwerp Consortium.
Dr. Mohammed Mahmood Al Balushi said: “The development of marine business at the Port of Duqm will reinforce the strategic partnership between Shell Oman Marketing and Port of Duqm Company."
"Due to the strategic and geopolitical location of the port on the international shipping lines, it is hoisted in the coming years to transform into a regional hub attracting large investments and projects while driving the diversification of the Sultanate’s economy and enhancing its global competitiveness," he added.
"We are committed to play a crucial role in the attainment of this vision by delivering global fuel technology and operational excellence to local and international marine customers in Duqm as part of global Shell’s network,” Al Balushi said/
Reggy Vermeulen, CEO of Port of Duqm, said: “This new agreement with Shell Oman underlines the clear ambition of Port of Duqm to become a future bunker hub serving the entire region. With new global bunker regulations coming into effect as from 2020, Port of Duqm plans to take full advantage of its prime location as well as the availability of the right fuel specs and offer prime bunker services accordingly.”
Port of Duqm has entered an early operations phase with a fully functional port and commercial quay capable of handling heavy lift project cargo, general cargo, dry bulk and containers.