Oman has always played an important role in the maritime trade across the Indian Ocean.  Oman has a rich history of trading between Asia and the Africa East Coast.

Today, there is continued growth of shipping tonnage across the Indian Ocean, servicing many markets between Europe and China.
Oman is well positioned on this route and plans to play an increasing role. 
Oasis Energy currently offers the bunkering service at Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat.
Oasis Energy is currently upgrading their operation in Muscat to meet the challenges of the modern bunkering trade.
The industry faces a few challenges. For example, modern refining technology is yielding less and less residual fuel oil.
The new Sohar Refinery will leave no residual fuel oil for ship bunkering usage.
With increased crude oil prices some refineries are purchasing residual fuel oil from older refineries as cracker feed stock.
So, while the maritime industry is designing ships to run on fuel oil, the oil industry is designing refineries with no fuel oil production.
This trend will be watched with interest.
For now the Gulf area remains a strong bunkering location and bunkering oil remains an important trade and valued service to the passing shipping fleets of the world.  
Oasis Energy is upgrading their bunker fuel transfer rates. A quick service is a key requirement for modern roro and container vessel that only visit Port Sultan Qaboos for a few hours.
While a car at a service station might require a rapid fill of 50 litres, these large modern ships require a quick fill of a million litres.
Bunkering transfers need to be completed within the period of cargo handling. While low cost fuel oil is sought, quality of product and service are non negotiable.
Product quality assurance and documented sampling are key to building ship operator purchasing confidence.
Ship engine emissions are increasingly controlled by international legislations.
Fleet operators need to know that bunkers purchased in Port Sultan Qaboos will always comply with these emission requirements.  
Oman, with deep ports, increasing quality service reputation and located close to the Red Sea-Singapore shipping route, is well positioned to tap this trade route.
Oasis Energy plans to be well positioned to enjoy its share of this trade.