Oman Oil Marketing Company (omanoil) has signed a bunkering license and land lease agreement with Port of Duqm Company (PDC) to develop a bunkering terminal and ancillary facilities at the Port of Duqm. This terminal will provide heavy fuel oil and marine diesel oil, as well as marine lubricants to ships calling at the port and surrounding waters. The two agreements were signed by H.E. Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Salim Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport & Communications and Chairman of Port of Duqm and Sheikh Salim bin Abdullah Al Rawas, Chairman of Oman Oil Marketing Company.

On behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of Port of Duqm Company, Reggy Vermeulen, Commercial Director said, "The signature of these two agreements are opening a new era in the port of Duqm. The Port will now be able to provide bunker services to the ships calling at the Port, in addition, the ships being serviced at Oman Drydock will be directly capable to bunker up before taking the sea again. Up until now, the ships calling at the Port of Duqm were required to sail several days in order to reach a port for full bunkering. These agreements are the result of two years of negotiation and fine tuning, and we are proud to be able to join forces with an Omani company to offer services at the Port. The Port of Duqm strongly believes in the partnership with local key players in order to strengthen its role in the development and the diversification of the economy of the Sultanate of Oman."

Engr. Omar bin Ahmed Salim Qatan, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Oil Marketing Company stated, "Oman Oil Marketing Company is proud to be the strategic partner of the Port of Duqm Company to help develop the marine business at Duqm. We foresee the Port of Duqm as a future strategic bunker hub in southern Oman and we are both excited and proud to play our part to help achieve this vision. The location and unparalleled logistic potential of the Port of Duqm can help create a gateway that will lead to diversifying the nation's economy towards regional maritime and transit-trade. We recognize the role of the Government of Oman in establishing the key infrastructure at Duqm and we highly appreciate the strong relationships already developed with Port of Duqm Company and the Duqm Special Economic Zone Authority, both entities of which will play a crucial role in the success of this endeavor."

The terminal design will adopt state-of-the-art technology to ensure highly efficient and safe operations. omanoil will also implement the most advanced and innovative ecological conservation practices to safeguard the natural surroundings. As a national oil company, omanoil is part of the economic backbone of Oman and the company will continue to explore opportunities for strategic partnerships that will further reinforce the diversification of the nation's economic development.