EMEA News
Bunkering Coming to Oman Port
The Port of Duqm in Oman, which began commercial operations this week, expects to have an international operator providing some bunkering services before the end of this year, the Oman Daily Observer reports.
"[W]e are in the final stages of negotiations with an interested party, and we hope to sign with the service provider before the end of this year," said Reggy Vermeulen, commercial director of the port.
The port's commercial operations, launched Sunday, focus on carrying project cargo for nearby oil and gas fields and supporting infrastructure projects in the Duqm Special Economic Zone (SEZ), according to another Observer story.
The government has invested about RO 700 million ($1.8 billion) in the construction of a deepwater harbour to support the SEZ, which is being promoted as an industrial and petrochemical hub for the Wusta coast.
The first commercial quay will be more than 3,200 meters long, with 300 meters ready for commercial use so far.
Other plans for the port include a liquids terminal to support the growth of a local petroleum and petrochemicals based industry, a minerals and bulk commodities terminal that would aid in the commercialisation of high-value minerals found in the region, and a bitumen terminal which will be set up by the Richmond Group, based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
