Sohar drives up its bunkering efficiency

The MoU, signed at  during International Energy Week in London, will build a digitalised and transparent bunker operation that meets international standards already introduced in Singapore.

”[The] agreement reconfirms Sohar Port’s commitment to build a digitalised and transparent bunker operation that meets international standards already introduced in Singapore and soon to be implemented in Rotterdam,” said Emile Hoogsteden, CEO of Sohar Port.

“This will enable TFG Marine to establish an international bunker fuel supply operation at Sohar Port and to offer all grades of bunker fuel to vessels.”

Competitive edge

There is an urgent need to drive up efficincy and keep up with vessel calls at Sohar.

More than 3,000 vessels of all sizes currently call at the port each year. This will increase as TFG Marine will be able to refuel the fleet of its joint venture owners, Trafigura, Frontline and Golden Ocean, which collectively manage a fleet of more than 700 owned and chartered vessels, as well as third party vessels.

“This is an ideal location for TFG to establish its first bunker fuel supply operation in the Middle East,” said Kenneth Dam, global head of bunkering, TFG Marine.

“With the intention to emulate Singapore’s best in class approach there is the potential for Sohar Port to quickly become a major new physical bunkering procurement location in the Middle East for the world’s shipping fleet.”

TFG Marine intends to start deliveries with a local operating company with its first bunker vessel arriving at Sohar Port in the coming months.

The vessel will be fitted with a Mass Flow Meter (MFM), calibrated to the ISO 22192 international standard as required by Sohar Port.

TFG Marine has long been an advocate of the global adoption of calibrated MFMs to bring much-needed transparency to bunkering and encouraging digitalisation in the long-term interests of the bunker industry.