Strategically located Omani Port is the first Middle East member to join coalition
SEA-LNG recently welcomed SOHAR Port and Freezone as its first Middle Eastern port member.
SOHAR joins SEA-LNG to promote its investment in LNG bunkering facilities and the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel. SEA-LNG is the leading multi-sector industry coalition, created to accelerate the widespread adoption of LNG.
MARSA LNG, a venture comprised of TOTAL and OQ, is developing a state of the art LNG liquefaction plant and bunkering facility in SOHAR Port.
“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,” commented Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO, SOHAR Port.
The project will see the provision of LNG to the shipping lines calling at SOHAR Port. The switch from traditional marine fuel oils to LNG has accelerated following the implementation of new sulphur emission limits by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in January 2020 and the IMO greenhouse gas emission targets set for 2030 and 2050.
“We welcome SOHAR to our cause of furthering the use of LNG as an important, environmentally superior maritime fuel,” remarked Peter Keller, Chairman, SEA-LNG.
Due to its unique location outside the Strait of Hormuz and mid-way between Europe and Asia, SOHAR is ideally positioned to become a major LNG bunkering hub in the Middle East.
