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Oman Oil Marketing Company: Time to consider the total cost of bunkering

Operators need to consider the total cost of bunkering or risk losing business, says Christophe El. Kati,
Head of Marine and Bunkers at the Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO).
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The following article features Christophe El. Kati, Head of Marine and Bunkers at the Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO), who shares his thoughts on how its Duqm bunker terminal can reduce the total cost of bunkering for ship owners. 

As fuel prices in regional ports approach USD1000 per tonne, and berth availability and wait times negatively impact sailing timetables, decisions on where and when to bunker can significantly impact efficiency and an operator’s ability to retain business. 

Thinking about the total cost of bunkering means that ship operators measure the impact of bunkering decisions on overall operational costs and the wider sustainability of a voyage, rather than just fuel cost. To manage the total cost of bunkering, charter party agreements also need to be scrutinised, with the impact of slow steaming and the number of days of steaming, routes, and arrival times all important factors.

Any gains made in minimising the total cost of bunkering will improve an operator’s performance within the terms of the Sea Cargo Charter. Although the provisions of the Charter only apply to its signatories, those signatories include some of the largest and most influential charterers in the market. The Charter is also an increasingly important mechanism for boosting transparency and cooperation between operator and charterer. It sets performance criteria for operators based on a measurement of climate alignment, defined as the degree to which voyage carbon intensity is in line with the IMO’s ambitions for reducing total annual GHG emissions. It relies specifically on the Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator (EEOI) which involves measurement of fuel consumption, a GHG emission factor for each fuel type, the distance travelled while laden, and the amount of cargo transported. How is all this relevant to the total cost of bunkering? Because it incentivises operators and charterers to look beyond just the price of fuel at competing bunker ports. Commercially and environmentally, this makes sense.  

Digital voyage planning tools make it increasingly easy to accurately predict costs and evaluate the potential benefits of new bunkering locations. This should encourage operators to look beyond traditional bunker ports and take a more analytical approach to assessing all the options, including those that may offer a faster transit time and reduced waiting time at port.

OOMCO’s new terminal at the Port of Duqm, located on Oman’s Arabian Sea coast, is an ideal example. The port is in the immediate vicinity of the international trade route between Asia and Europe, without long wait times. In its region, a port call at Duqm for bunkering, resupply and crew changes can remove the need for a detour to nearby regional ports, for example, which could add a minimum of seven days. By eliminating several days of fuel and operational costs,  a port call at Duqm can significantly reduce the total cost of bunkering for operators. Duqm also lies outside the high-risk zone that triggers the costly requirement for war risks cover; a significant financial saving.

OOMCO’s terminal offers high-quality HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO marine fuel specifications in compliance with ISO 8217 and has been designed to meet the increasing demand for all low sulphur fuel-compliant marine fuels in line with IMO2020. The 10,000 metric tonne vessel MT Alpha, capable of delivering fuel at up to 1,000 m3 / hour, facilitates bunker calls for vessels visiting the port. 

The Port of Duqm also offers a wide array of services, strengthening Oman’s marine infrastructure and making it one of the most dynamic marine and industrial hubs in the region. Vessels calling at Duqm can take advantage of a range of services, including pilotage, freshwater supply, waste collection, tug services, crew change, de-slopping services, ship handling, and ship spares. The port also hosts Oman Drydock Company, one of the largest ship repair yards in the world. Duqm’s wide range of services make it easier for vessel operators to justify a decision to bunker in the port. 

The development of the new OOMCO terminal is underpinned by the $7 billion Duqm refinery which will have a capacity of 230,000 barrels per day, once completed. In addition, the nearby Ras Markaz storage terminal is also currently under construction. It will culminate in six million barrels of storage capacity being available in 2022, with an additional capacity of 19 million barrels earmarked for the site as a future development. In addition, there are plans in place for the supply of other marine fuels, including LNG and methanol, as well as green ammonia and green hydrogen.

The bunker fuel market in the Middle East and Africa region is expected to grow by more than 12% between 2022-2025. By taking a ‘total cost of bunkering’ approach, Duqm can help vessel operators to unlock greater efficiencies within their fuel procurement strategy that will protect their bottom line and optimise their port calls.

Related: Oman Oil Marketing Company launches bunkering operations at Port of Sohar
Related: Oman Oil Marketing Company launches new bunker terminal at Port of Duqm
Related: OOMCO signs bunkering agreement for ops at Port Sultan Qaboos
Related: OOMCO Directors approve construction of Duqm bunker terminal
Related: Duqm Bunker Terminal eyes 2021 commission

 

Photo credit and source: Oman Oil Marketing Company
Published: 11 April, 2022

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China: Yangpu records 27% on year increase in bunkering volumes from Jan to May

Latest bunker supplier at Yangpu port is Hainan Luhai Energy which received a license from the Danzhou Municipal People’s Government in April 2025.
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July 14, 2025

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Yangpu port

The Port of Yangpu located in Hainan Island recorded a 27% on year increase in bonded bunkering volume for the period between January to May 2025 due to local government initiatives, according to Danzhou Municipal People’s Government on 5 July.

During the five-month period, the port supplied 149,400 metric tonnes (mt) of bunker fuel to 288 international vessels, compared to 117,400 mt of marine fuel to 278 ships in the year before.

Explaining the 2025 figures, the government pointed out 145,400 mt of bonded bunker fuel to 275 vessels were delivered by bunkering firms under national licenses, while 4,000 mt of bonded marine fuel were sent by bunkering companies under Hainan licenses.

To date, there are four bunker suppliers operating at Yangpu port. The latest to join is Luhai Energy Technology Development (Hainan) Co., Ltd (陆海能源科技发展（海南）有限公司) which received a license from the Danzhou Municipal People’s Government in April 2025.

“In the future, we will continue to work hard to continuously optimise the bonded oil refuelling service system, increase policy publicity and promotion efforts, attract more bonded oil refuelling companies to settle in Yangpu, and continuously expand the scale of business, and promote the implementation of the bonded oil refuelling policy,” stated Li Leiming, a mid-level employee of the Yangpu Investment Promotion Bureau.

 

Photo credit: Chuanhaozi under Creative Commons Licences
Published: 14 July 2025

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Milestone

Singapore retains ranking as world’s top maritime centre for 12th consecutive year

Finds report jointly published by the Baltic Exchange and China’s Xinhua News Agency.
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July 14, 2025

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Singapore bunker tankers and sky

Singapore on Friday (11 July) said it has retained its ranking as the world’s top maritime centre, marking the 12th consecutive year it has led the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index.

Jointly published by the Baltic Exchange and China’s Xinhua News Agency, the Xinhua-Baltic ISCD Index provides an independent benchmarking of the world’s leading maritime hubs.

It evaluates factors such as cargo throughput, port infrastructure, maritime services (including finance, law and shipbroking), and the overall business environment.

The index is closely monitored by shipping lines, port investors, and maritime service providers to track market competitiveness, and inform investment location and service development decisions.

Singapore retained its top position among 43 maritime cities and regions, underpinned by its consistent performance as one of the world’s busiest transhipment and bunkering hubs, and a well-established ecosystem of professional maritime services and expertise.

In 2024, Singapore handled 41.12 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in container throughput – a record high – and saw total vessel arrival tonnage exceed 3 billion gross tons. The Port of Singapore also remains the world’s largest bunkering port, having supplied 54.92 million tonnes of marine fuel in 2024.

Home to more than 200 international shipping groups and a growing number of maritime technology start-ups, Singapore continues to strengthen its position as a global node for maritime innovation and enterprise.

This growing industry base is also creating new career pathways in areas such as port operations, digital systems management, automation, maritime law, and sustainability – as the sector transforms to meet the needs of a more digital and decarbonised future.

“We thank our industry partners, the research and enterprise community, and our unions who have been instrumental in Singapore’s journey to become a leading international maritime centre and global hub port,” said Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

“We will continue to build on this momentum by innovating and investing in digitalisation, green technologies, and workforce development to strengthen Singapore’s position as a trusted and future-ready international maritime centre.”

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 14 July 2025

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Milestone

“LNG London” marks 1,000 safe LNG bunkering ops in Rotterdam and Antwerp

Milestone is a tribute to the technical expertise and steadfast dedication of LNG London’s team, states Victrol.
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July 14, 2025

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LNG London MT

The LNG London, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel chartered by Shell, owned by LNG Shipping, and operated by Victrol recently completed over 1,000 safe LNG bunkering operations across the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp.

“This landmark achievement underscores LNG London’s unwavering commitment to safety, reliability, and environmental stewardship as LNG rises to prominence as a lower-emission marine fuel compared to conventional fuel oil,” stated Victrol on Friday (11 July) over a LinkedIn update.

“With this milestone, LNG London reaffirms its pioneering role in promoting sustainable, lower-emission bunkering throughout the Amsterdam–Rotterdam–Antwerp (ARA) hub.”

Launched in June 2019, LNG London has a capacity of 3,000 m³, spans 110 m in length, and navigates inland waterways with ease—facilitating efficient LNG supply to both seagoing vessels and barges offshore-energy.

Victrol as the vessel’s operator, emphasises the outstanding performance of the crew and the vessel’s robust design. Built with stringent safety specifications, LNG London strives to maintain high operational standards. This milestone is a tribute to the team’s technical expertise and steadfast dedication.

Building on the good work of LNG London, Shell had also enhanced its bunkering network with the larger Energy Stockholm, an 8,000 m³ bunker vessel, now operating in Antwerp, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, and Amsterdam.

Related: Europe: ‘LNG London’ bunkering vessel starts operations at Rotterdam
Related: “LNG London” conducts first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operation at Rotterdam
Related: Bureau Veritas classifies Europe’s largest inland waterway LNG bunker barge
Related: Europe’s largest LNG bunkering barge on maiden voyage to ARA
Related: Shell takes delivery of Europe’s largest inland LNG bunkering vessel

 

Photo credit: Victrol
Published: 14 July 2025

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