Gulf Bunkering offers independent insight into marine fuel grades, regional market dynamics, and port-level considerations across Oman’s main bunkering locations. Professional enquiries may be facilitated with relevant suppliers where appropriate.
Oman operates four deep-water bunkering facilities positioned along critical maritime corridors, each offering distinct operational advantages depending on your vessel type, route, and fuel requirements. We have a network of licensed suppliers across all ports to secure access to marine fuel grades meeting ISO 8217 specifications, delivered through modern infrastructure operating under strict regulatory oversight.
Strategic Bunkering Ports We Serve in Oman
We coordinate bunker fuel procurement across Oman’s four primary ports, leveraging our understanding of each facility’s infrastructure, supplier networks, and operational capabilities to optimize your fuel delivery.
Sohar Port functions as Oman’s primary bunkering hub, and we’ve built strong relationships with suppliers operating the deep-sea facilities and state-of-the-art infrastructure there. The port has implemented mandatory ISO 22192 standards for all marine fuel supply operations, requiring calibrated Mass Flow Meters – something we ensure all our coordinated deliveries comply with. This positions Sohar as a competitive alternative to regional hubs, and we’re tracking developments closely as the port works toward establishing the first LNG bunkering facility in the Middle East by 2028.
Port of Duqm has undergone significant expansion that directly benefits our clients. OOMCO Marine Fuels completed construction of a greenfield bunker terminal with 30,000 cubic meters of tankage, along with pipelines, pump sets, and supporting infrastructure. We coordinate deliveries through this modern facility, which significantly raises the sustainability and competitiveness of bunkering operations for vessels serving the region’s growing industrial and logistics sectors.
Muscat’s Port Sultan Qaboos operates as a dedicated cruise port and bunkering service hub. We arrange fuel supply here for clients who need sheltered harbor conditions and year-round operational capability, sitting approximately 2 nautical miles northwest of Muscat city center. It’s particularly valuable for vessels requiring fuel supply outside high-traffic commercial port environments.
Salalah functions as a major transshipment hub, and we work with suppliers there who maintain extensive bunker fuel infrastructure serving container vessels, bulk carriers, and offshore units along the strategic East-West shipping corridor. The port’s position makes it particularly valuable for optimizing fuel procurement between the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean routes.
Marine Fuel Grades We Coordinate
We connect you with comprehensive marine fuel grades meeting ISO 8217 specifications and international environmental standards across all Omani ports. Our network reflects Oman’s position as a regional refining center with modern supply infrastructure.
Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) represents one of the primary fuel offerings we coordinate, with a maximum sulphur content of 0.50%. VLSFO meets ISO 8217 specifications, typically conforming to RMG 380 grade standards. These fuels generally have lower density and viscosity than high sulphur alternatives because reducing sulphur content requires more light and less viscous blend components – something we factor into delivery planning and quality verification.
Low Sulphur Marine Gas Oil (LSMGO), also referred to as Marine Gas Oil with 0.1% sulphur content, is available through our supplier network at all major Omani ports. This fuel grade conforms to ISO 8217 DMA/DMB specifications for both main engines and auxiliary applications. We recommend LSMGO for vessels preparing for operation in Emission Control Areas or maintaining single-fuel operations across different regulatory jurisdictions.
We arrange Marine Gas Oil (MGO) deliveries meeting ISO 8217 DMA/DMB specifications. High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO) remains available through our network for vessels equipped with scrubber systems. Beyond conventional marine fuels, we coordinate Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) supply for equipped vessels, while biofuels and liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering represent emerging alternatives we’re actively tracking.
Bunker lot sizes vary by fuel grade. For VLSFO and MGO grades, we typically coordinate lot sizes ranging from 20 to 5,000 metric tons, while HSFO grades reflect lot sizes of 50 to 5,000 metric tons. All fuel deliveries we arrange meet the specified requirements and tolerances established under international maritime standards.
Regulatory Framework and Compliance We Navigate
Oman has implemented strict licensing requirements for bunker suppliers that took effect in 2025, and we ensure all our coordinated deliveries comply. At least two licensed specialized companies must be involved in ship fueling operations at every port – a requirement we factor into our supplier coordination and delivery planning.
For marine gas oil (MGO) deliveries by truck, suppliers must be 100% Omani-owned, specialized in bunkering, and registered with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority. We work exclusively with compliant suppliers who meet these local requirements, protecting you from regulatory complications.
All marine fuel supply operations at Sohar Port must comply with ISO 22192 standards, requiring calibrated Mass Flow Meters to ensure transparency and accuracy in fuel deliveries. We verify this compliance for every delivery we coordinate, eliminating disputes over delivered quantities and reinforcing operational transparency across your supply chain.
Oman’s regulatory framework aligns with international maritime fuel standards while incorporating local requirements that reflect the country’s strategic objectives for maritime sector development. We stay current on these regulations so you don’t have to – our coordination ensures supplier licensing status verification and documentation that meets both international and local compliance requirements.
LNG Infrastructure We’re Tracking
Oman is establishing the first LNG bunkering hub in the Middle East through Marsa LNG, and we’re positioning our network to support clients who’ll need this capability.
This development positions Oman at the forefront of alternative fuel infrastructure in the region, supporting vessel operators transitioning to lower-emission fuel options. We’re building relationships now with the operators who’ll manage this LNG bunkering capability, ensuring our clients have seamless access when the infrastructure comes online. The LNG bunkering capability will complement Oman’s existing conventional fuel supply network – something we’ll coordinate as a comprehensive fuel solution across different vessel propulsion systems.
Sohar’s development as an alternative bunkering hub to Fujairah reflects Oman’s ambition to expand and modernize its bunkering infrastructure. The combination of conventional fuel supply, alternative fuel capabilities, and modern measurement standards creates a competitive offering for vessels optimizing fuel procurement across Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean routes – exactly the kind of market dynamics we leverage for client benefit.
What ports in Oman is served?
We coordinate bunker fuel supply across four major Omani ports: Sohar, Duqm, Muscat (Port Sultan Qaboos), and Salalah. Each facility offers modern infrastructure with access to our network of licensed suppliers and comprehensive fuel grades. Sohar functions as the primary bunkering hub with deep-sea capabilities and mandatory ISO 22192 measurement standards that we ensure compliance with. Duqm features a new greenfield bunker terminal with 30,000 cubic meters of tankage where we arrange deliveries. We coordinate fuel supply at Muscat for cruise vessels and commercial traffic with sheltered harbor conditions, while Salalah serves as our coordination point for the major transshipment hub along the East-West shipping corridor.
What marine fuel grades can be coordinated in Oman?
We facilitate delivery of all major marine fuel grades meeting ISO 8217 specifications across Oman’s ports: Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) at 0.50% sulphur maximum, Low Sulphur Marine Gas Oil (LSMGO) at 0.10% sulphur, standard Marine Gas Oil (MGO) meeting DMA/DMB specifications, High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO) for scrubber-equipped vessels, and Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO). We’re also building relationships with suppliers offering emerging alternative fuels including biofuels and LNG, with Sohar developing the Middle East’s first LNG bunkering facility scheduled for 2028 operations that we’ll coordinate access to.