Oman Government News

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…

Oman's top port Salalah has signed trade agreements with key Iranian terminals in the latest efforts by the Gulf country to boost shipping ties with Tehran following the lifting of international sanctions. Measures against Iran were lifted in January as part of a nuclear deal with world powers, ending years of isolation which saw the international shipping sector cut ties and disrupt supplies to import-dependent Iran. The United Arab Emirates previously enjoyed greater shipping activity with Iran but ports in Oman are looking at expanding ties. Salalah, located near the Gulf of Aden, said on Monday it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran's biggest cargo port Bandar Abbas and with Chabahar port…

Oman aims to expand shipping and trade links with Iran and get ahead of rivals after the lifting of international sanctions on Tehran, leading port officials involved say. Measures were lifted last month as part of a nuclear deal with world powers, ending years of isolation which saw the international shipping sector cut ties and disrupt supplies to import-dependent Iran. The United Arab Emirates previously enjoyed greater shipping activity with Iran but Oman's nearby Sohar port is looking at expanding ties. Oman could also benefit from a spat between rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran which saw Riyadh cut ties last month and others like the UAE to downgrade relations. Annual UAE-Iran container trade pre-sanctions was estimated at 1.5 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units).

This past March concluded an agreement between Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Kawasaki Shipbuilding for construction of an LNG carrier with a capacity of 145,000 cu. m. With two of the carriers already delivered to Mitsui for use by both Oman and Algeria under co-ownership, this agreement marks the third informal order placed for this such vessel. In addition, both Kawasaki Shipbuilding and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries received an order for one 145,000 cu. m. carrier with the decision left open to buy another LNG from the Oman government this past July. The first carrier, which will be built at Kawasaki Shipbuilding’s Sakaide Works is set for delivery in December 2005. An option for a second carrier is being carried out at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.