Latest news with #SalembinMarhoonalHashmi
Observer
27-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
OTTCO named champion for green ammonia storage in Oman
MUSCAT, JULY 27 Oman Tank Terminal Company (OTTCO), a subsidiary of OQ – the Omani government–owned integrated energy company – has been designated as a 'National Champion' for central green ammonia storage. This designation, announced by Hydrom – the master planner of Oman's green hydrogen sector – places OTTCO among a select group of predominantly state-owned utilities and energy companies tasked with developing and operating shared infrastructure, also known as Common User Infrastructure (CUI), to support the country's emerging gigawatt-scale green molecules industry. Confirmation of OTTCO's new status came in a recent interview given by Eng. Abdulaziz al Shidhani, Managing Director of Hydrom, to The Energy Oman. Highlighting Hydrom's pivotal role in advancing the Sultanate's green hydrogen ambitions, he noted: 'We advise the government on policies and regulations to support a robust and investment-friendly framework. We lead auction processes and manage contracts. In parallel, we also serve as custodians of the Green Hydrogen Strategy, overseeing land master planning and the sector's long-term vision. Once projects are awarded, developers take the lead on execution, while we ensure coordination—especially for shared infrastructure. To do that, we work closely with 'National Champions'—key public and private entities entrusted with specific responsibilities across the hydrogen value chain. OQ Alternative Energy leads investment. Nama Water Services oversees water and power. OQ Gas Networks is responsible for gas transport. Oman Electricity Transmission Company manages power transmission. Most recently, Oman Tank Terminal Company was named National Champion for central green ammonia storage,' he added. The move underscores the growing importance of green ammonia as both a versatile carrier of green hydrogen and a low-carbon fuel, particularly for hard-to-decarbonize sectors. Produced from renewable hydrogen and nitrogen, green ammonia (NH₃) is safer and more efficient to store and transport than pure hydrogen. It can also be used directly as a carbon-free fuel in shipping, power generation, and possibly industrial heating, offering a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. The maritime sector, in particular, is showing strong interest in ammonia as a zero-carbon bunker fuel, while green ammonia also provides a cleaner substitute for the global fertilizer industry, which is a significant source of CO₂ emissions. OTTCO's designation expands its mandate beyond crude oil and fossil fuel-based storage and logistics into the realm of green molecules. Its flagship facility at Ras Markaz, spanning 40 square kilometres, currently offers 17.5 million barrels of storage capacity, with plans to scale up to a world-class 200 million barrels. The site also serves as a strategic hub for imported crude feeding the Duqm Refinery, located approximately 80 kilometres away. According to OTTCO CEO Eng. Salem bin Marhoon al Hashmi, a recent strategic agreement between parent group OQ and Dutch liquid logistics giant Vopak aims to position Duqm as a global storage hub not only for fossil fuels, but also for green molecules such as green ammonia. Several preliminary studies have already been completed to establish advanced infrastructure for the storage, handling, and export of green ammonia. OTTCO is also developing a shared smart storage infrastructure and seeking global partnerships to enable knowledge exchange and accelerate development. Last week, Mohsin bin Hamad al Hadhrami, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, accompanied Ashraf bin Hamad al Mamari, OQ Group CEO, on a visit to Ras Markaz and other facilities in Duqm. The visit aimed to highlight OTTCO's operations and future plans.
Observer
24-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Ras Markaz terminal exports 17 million tonnes of petroleum products
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. Engineer Salem bin Marhoon al Hashmi, CEO of OTTCO. '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
Muscat Daily
24-05-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman's Ras Markaz Terminal exports 17mn tonnes petroleum products
Muscat – Oman Tank Terminal Company (OTTCO) has successfully handled 491 vessels at the Ras Markaz Terminal, located in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZD), from its launch in 2023 until the end of April 2025. During this period, the terminal imported over 950mn barrels of crude oil and exported approximately 17mn metric tonnes of petroleum products. In a statement to the Oman News Agency, Eng Salem bin Marhoon al Hashmi, CEO of OTTCO, highlighted Oman's growing role as a global energy logistics hub. He said, 'These achievements are the result of the company's commitment to the highest standards of safety and operational excellence, reinforcing its position as a key hub for ensuring energy security for Oman, as well as for regional and international markets.' Hashmi noted that current storage services are meeting the needs of the local market, which has prompted a strategic shift towards expanding global storage operations. He explained that OTTCO has signed a strategic agreement with Royal Vopak, a leading Dutch storage firm, to transform Duqm into a global hub for storage services. This initiative aligns with OQ Group's plans to establish a company specialising in the storage and handling of particulates. 'This partnership enhances our access to global markets, facilitates the localisation of international best practices, boosts the capabilities of Omani professionals in the energy logistics sector, and supports our sustainability goals. It also contributes to the storage and handling of ammonia and green hydrogen, in line with global trends towards clean energy,' he added. Hashmi further emphasised OTTCO's focus on the transition to clean energy, particularly in the storage and export of green ammonia. He stated that several preliminary studies have been completed to support the development of advanced infrastructure for the storage, handling, and export of green ammonia. OTTCO is also working on the development of a shared smart infrastructure for storage services and is establishing international partnerships to facilitate the exchange of expertise and bolster development efforts. These initiatives are in line with Oman's vision of becoming a leading regional centre for clean energy exports. The Ras Markaz Terminal currently supports the Duqm Refinery via an 80km pipeline transporting crude oil from Ras Markaz to the refinery. The oil storage facilities comprise eight large storage tanks, floating platforms for the import and export of oil, a 7km subsea pipeline for oil transfer, and a pumping station to move oil into the tanks. The terminal's advanced technical features allow for the blending of various types of crude oil and enable vessels to be loaded and unloaded in record time. It is designed to store all types of crude oil in significant volumes outside the Strait of Hormuz, offering international companies the option to store their oil at the terminal for flexible durations. Spanning an area of 40 sq km, the terminal has a storage capacity of approximately 200mn barrels of oil.
