Shell Oman Marketing Company has signed an agreement with the Port of Duqm Company (PDC) to develop fuel bunkering facilities and services at Duqm Port. The bunkering terminal will be able to provide different grades of quality fuels and lubricants, as well as other ancillary facilities to marine traffic docking at the port.
According to a statement, the port is said to have 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.
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 Sultanates economy and enhancing its global competitiveness, said Dr. Mohammed Mahmood Al Balushi, CEO of Shell Oman
The port has a deep draught (18m), lengthy quay walls and an expansive basin, which positions it as a world class, multipurpose commercial gateway, the statement said. The Port of Duqm currently has a capacity of 100,000 to 200,000 TEUs, 4m tonnes of dry bulk, and 1m tonnes of project, break bulk and heavy lift cargos.
Al Balushi 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 Shells global network.
Reggy Vermeulen, chief executive of PDC said the 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, Vermeulen commented.
