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Oman set to deploy 47 feeders to harness power of its coastline

STATE-OWNED Oman Shipping Company (OSC) is deploying a feeder fleet of 47 ships weighing in at eight million tons to handle coastal imports and exports and reach Dubai for pick up, delivery and transshipment.

"We are looking to harness the power of our coastline and maximise Oman's strategic location, to boost both trade within the Gulf and worldwide," said OSC chief executive Tarik Mohamed Al Junaidi.

"The Oman Express Service will revolutionise the trade movement in Oman by linking our main ports with one fast and efficient freight feeder operation," said Mr Al Junaidi.

"Duqm is set to become Oman's gateway for heavy cargo and the sultanate's next industrial hub once it is fully operational, with major construction work in hand to handle greatly increased container, project and general cargo.

"There is going to be a lot of development in Duqm," said Mr Al Junaidi. "So there will be a demand for equipment, project cargoes, supplies for construction projects and container services. We are discussing this with the port authorities of Duqm, Salalah and others," he said.

Improved road links will enable faster and easier movement of cargo via Duqm port to central Oman's oilfields. The Oman Express Service will also increase the amount of cargo being handled at Salalah and Sohar ports.

Mr Al Junaidi said that OSC already operates a weekly feeder service connecting Sohar with Jebel Ali port. He said within a few months of starting the new service, OSC will be able to evaluate the actual requirement and, if necessary, exchange the vessel to meet whatever needs would have arisen.

OSC's modern fleet is expected to rise to more than 50 vessels this year. It spans from very large crude carriers (VLCCs), liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, product tankers, multi-purpose vessels, bulk carriers and container ships, to serve Oman's oil and gas, petrochemical and other industries.

Mr Al Junaidi said: "Our intention in the long-run is to have all of them managed by Oman Ship Management Company, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of OSC, currently technically managing 32 vessels.

"Five of our latest ships are the 183 metres long, 29,354 gross tonne product and chemical tankers, which have been recently constructed at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Ulsan, South Korea, as part of a deal for 10 medium range tankers.

All the vessels will be chartered to Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Ltd for its Project Silver.

"This recent investment will strengthen and consolidate our position in the hydrocarbon shipping sector. It also demonstrates how we can offer the very best, and very latest, shipping solutions to major operators like Shell. Entering into new joint venture agreements to expand our fleet is the key to OSC's ongoing business development," Mr Al Junaidi said.