DUQM: Oman Tank Terminal Company (OTTCO) has exported around 17 million metric tonnes of petroleum products and handled 491 vessels through its Ras Markaz Terminal in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZD) since its operations began in 2023 up to the end of April 2025.
More than 950 million barrels of crude oil have been imported through the terminal, underscoring its growing strategic importance in global energy logistics.
Engineer Salem bin Marhoon al Hashmi, CEO of OTTCO, highlighted the Sultanate of Oman’s ambition to become a global energy hub, stating that the company’s operational success is built on rigorous safety standards and operational excellence. “Our location provides a direct link to major shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean, opening access to markets across Asia, Africa, and Europe,” he said.
The terminal’s storage services currently meet local demand, but OTTCO is now focusing on expanding its global storage operations. A key milestone in this direction is a strategic partnership with the Dutch firm Vopak, one of the world’s leading storage companies. The agreement aims to transform Duqm into a global storage hub and supports the OQ Group’s broader strategy of launching a dedicated company for storing and handling particulates.
Al Hashmi added that the partnership with Vopak is also helping OTTCO adopt international best practices, develop Omani talent in the energy logistics sector, and reinforce its sustainability goals. Among the company’s clean energy initiatives are projects supporting the storage and handling of green ammonia and hydrogen — in line with growing global demand for low-carbon energy solutions.
“Preliminary studies have already been completed to lay the groundwork for advanced infrastructure to store, handle, and export green ammonia,” he noted. OTTCO is also working on a shared smart infrastructure for storage services and establishing international partnerships to exchange expertise and accelerate development, in line with Oman’s Vision 2040.
The Ras Markaz terminal plays a vital role in supplying the Duqm Refinery through an 80-kilometre pipeline that transports crude oil from the terminal. The facility boasts eight large storage tanks, floating platforms for oil imports and exports, a 7-kilometre subsea pipeline, and a pumping station. Control rooms, administrative offices, and safety installations are also housed within the terminal.
One of Ras Markaz’s defining advantages is its ability to blend different types of crude oil and efficiently handle vessel loading and unloading. Positioned outside the Strait of Hormuz, the terminal offers international companies the flexibility to store crude oil in large volumes for any duration. Spanning 40 square kilometres, it has a projected storage capacity of up to 200 million barrels. — ONA
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
