First Middle Eastern port member for SEALNG

SOHAR Port and Freezone, managed by SOHAR Industrial Port Company (SIPC), a 50:50 joint venture between the Port of Rotterdam and the Sultanate of Oman, has joined SEA\LNG to promote its investment in LNG bunkering facilities and the use of LNG as a marine fuel. MARSA LNG, a venture comprised of TOTAL S.A. and OQ, is developing an LNG liquefaction plant and bunkering facility in SOHAR Port to supply vessels from shipping lines calling at the port.

Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of SOHAR Port, said: “This major LNG Bunkering project will generate in-country value and job opportunities, and will support industry diversification efforts by promoting shipping activities in Oman. The establishment of this facility will make SOHAR one of the key LNG bunkering facilities on the main shipping trade routes, alongside other strategic ports, many of whom are already SEA\LNG Members, such as the Port of Singapore. MARSA LNG will supply LNG sourced locally in the Sultanate.”

Peter Keller, chairman of SEA\LNG, said: “From our perspective, this is an opportune time to develop LNG capabilities in Oman given the expansive growth of marine activity within the region. We welcome SOHAR to our cause of furthering the use of LNG as an important, environmentally superior maritime fuel.”

SEA\LNG is a multi-sector industry coalition, created to accelerate the widespread adoption of LNG as a marine fuel.