Oman Maritime, Ports and Energy Forum PROGRAMME

28-30 APRIL 2025

This event is taking place under the patronage of His Excellency Eng. Said Bin Hamood Bin Said Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.

Standard Delegate Pass: £895 

REGISTER HERE

Read speaker profiles

Programme details are updated regularly and are subject to change as new speakers are confirmed and themes developed.

If you are interested in contributing to the programme, we would welcome your suggestions and comments: email lesley@petrospot.com or call +44 1295 814455 to discuss.

Open dialogue:  Harnessing commercial opportunities to drive maritime trade

The inaugural Oman Maritime, Ports and Energy Forum will showcase the Sultanate’s ports, energy, shipping, maritime logistics and bunkering sectors. In doing so, it will highlight how Oman’s maritime-related industries are responding to the opportunities and challenges created by changing global trade flows, regional and global regulation, technological innovation, digitalisation, and the production and supply infrastructure for new energy sources.

In profiling the resources and expertise available in Oman – and the wider Middle East region – the Forum will allow stakeholders from outside the region to see the potential and scope for business opportunities, engage with relevant companies and organisations, and begin all-important commercial discussions.

Monday, 28 April

14:00 – 17:00

Workshop:
Enhancing Trust and Accountability in Bunkering Supply Chains: The Role of Standards and Technology
Click here for course details

18:00-20:00

Welcome Evening Reception
Crown Plaza Muscat OCEC
Sponsored by Platinum Sponsor

Tuesday, 29 April

08:00-09:00

Conference registration

Welcome Coffee
Sponsored by Silver Sponsor

WELCOME SESSION

Conference welcome and VIP introductions
Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes

09:15

Welcome addresses by VIPs

Muhanna Moosa Baqer, Director General of Ports and Marine Affairs, Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technology
H.E. Stella Kloth, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Oman
Omar Al Mahrizi, CEO, Asyad Ports and Free Zones  
Emile Hoogsteden, CEO, Port of Sohar

10:00

Networking Coffee Break
Sponsored by Silver Sponsor

10:30

Keynote speech:

Market dynamics - the outlook for Middle East oil and gas sectors
Dr Iman Nasseri, Managing Director, Middle East, Facts Global Energy
Introduced by: Lesley Bankes-Hughes

SESSION ONE: Seizing new commercial opportunities - the evolution of port infrastructure

This session will feature presentations and a panel discussion which focus on developments and projects at Omani ports, including Sohar, Duqm and Salalah, as well as global hubs. Speakers will focus on issues such as industrial zones, planning a fit-for-purpose port footprint, and ports as energy hubs, including safety regulations for handling new energy sources.

The session focus will then shift to look at trends and developments in the marine fuel sector in Oman with contributions from physical suppliers and traders.

10:45

Moderator:
Lesley Bankes-Hughes

Speakers

Al Kattab Al Maani, Acting VP-Commercial, Asyad Ports
Dimitri Van Eekelen, Vice President – Commercial, SOHAR Port and Freezone
Ahmed Qatan, CCO, Salalah Port 
Eng Hashim Taher Al Ibrahim, Chief Business Support Officer, Port of Duqm
Peter Bos, Senior Project Manager - renewable energy, HaskoningDHV Nederland B.V., a company of Royal HaskoningDHV

SESSION TWO: Dynamic positioning – how bunkering is adapting to market changes and challenges

12:00

Moderator:
Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes

Speakers
Salim Al Baimani, Bunker Trader, O Bunkering
Hamza Al Hadhrami, Bunker Manager, Hormuz Marine
Murthed Rashid Al Kharusi, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology
Said Al Saadi, Bunker Trader & Physical Supplier, Oman Oil Marketing Company

13:00

Networking Lunch
Sponsored by Gold Sponsor

14:00

Keynote speech
Catalysing change – the use of global and regional regulatory drivers for the decarbonisation of shipping and ports
Stuart Neil, Director of Strategy, International Chamber of Shipping
Introduced by: Lesley Bankes-Hughes

SESSION THREE: The transformative power of data: The evolving role of digitalisation in shipping and bunkering 

Speakers in this session will explain how harnessing the power of data can achieve time and cost efficiencies, optimise vessel performance, deliver accuracy in fuel measurement and increase transparency in operational and commercial processes.

14:15

Moderator:
Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes

Speakers
Captain Batti Al Shibli, Harbour Master, SOHAR Port and Freezone
Kenneth Dam, Global Head of Bunkering, TFG Marine
Daryl Lim, Quality Manager, Metcore International Pte Ltd

Panellists
Darrick Pang, Managing Director, Metcore International Pte Ltd
Silvia Bordoni, General Manager Fratelli Cosulich Bunkers (S) Pte Ltd

15:15

Networking Coffee Break
Sponsored by Silver Sponsor

15:45

Keynote Speech
Decarbonisation in Shipping and Ports
Khalil Al Hooti, Vice President Marine, Asyad Shipping
Introduced by: Lesley Bankes-Hughes

SESSION FOUR: Energy powerhouse: Oman’s pivotal role in maritime’s energy transition

The final session on Day 1 of the Forum will focus on the new energy landscape for the marine fuels, shipping and cargo sectors, including biofuels, LNG, methanol, ammonia and hydrogen.

• Speakers will consider green energy production across the Middle East, particularly Oman’s potential as a green energy producer and the opportunities for shipping in energy transportation and as a consumer of green fuels.
• What is the demand for – and the availability of – green fuels and how is the supply infrastructure developing in Oman and across the Middle East.

16:00

Moderator and speaker:
Dr. Abdullah Sulaiman Al-Abri, Vice President - Sustainability, SOHAR PORT AND FREEZONE

Speakers
Amine El Kadiri, General Manager, GTT Middle East LLC
Akin Adamson, Director, Middle East, Ricardo Gulf Technical Consultancy LLC
Stephane Basset-Chercot, Deputy Vice-President, Aviation & Marine Fuels, TotalEnergies
Hamed AL Hadhrami, EP Project Maturation Manager, OQ
Mohamed Jawad, Head of Business Development, OQ
Eng. Reham Al Maimani, Director of Strategy & Market, Hydrom

Closing speech
Lesley Bankes-Hughes

17:15

Conference sessions End

18:00-20:00

Post-Conference Reception
Crown Plaza Muscat OCEC
Sponsored by Diamond Sponsor

Wednesday, 30 April 

08:30

Welcome Coffee
Sponsored by Silver Sponsor

09:30

Conference Welcome
Lesley Bankes-Hughes

SIGNING CEREMONY

09:45

Signing of agreement between Advario Terminals LLC and Hormuz Marine

Advario Terminals LLC has entered into an agreement to lease a storage tank to Hormuz Marine LLC at the Port of Sohar to support their bunkering activities in the Port of Sohar and across Oman.

The agreement will be signed by Bahjat Tuffaha, General Manager, Advario Terminals and Hani Al Kindi, Board Member, Hormuz Marine.

This strategic signing marks a significant milestone for both companies, reinforcing their joint commitment to developing Sohar as a premier bunkering hub. Sohar Port is also actively involved in this initiative to strengthen its position in regional and global bunkering markets.

10:00

Keynote Speech: Invest Oman
Bushra Al Wahibi, Invest Oman
Introduced by: Lesley Bankes-Hughes

SESSION SIX: Building strong foundations – supporting maritime regulatory and contractual frameworks and developing workforce resilience

In this wide-ranging session, speakers will address contractual considerations when establishing joint ventures and partnerships between Oman and international companies. They will explain the rapidly changing regional and global landscape for environmental regulation in relation to shipping and ports, and consider contractual approaches to complying with legislation and policy, including IMO regulations and regional regulations such as the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ raft of measures.

In the context of maritime’s energy transition, this session will also discuss the provision of education and training in the maritime sector, with a focus on skilling the future workforce.

10:15

Moderator:
Lesley Bankes-Hughes

Speakers
Toufic Safie, Managing Associate, Stephenson Harwood
Dr Chief Eng Mohamed Saber, Department of Maritime, National University of Science & Technology, International Maritime College Oman
Natalie Jensen, Partner, Watson, Farley & Williams (Middle East) LLP

11:30

Networking Coffee Break
Sponsored by Strategic Partner

SESSION SEVEN: Future-proofing - Harnessing AI in maritime logistics and the energy sectors 

Picking up on some of the discussions in Session Six, this session will explore the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in optimising maritime logistics, shipping, and energy operations. Discussions will highlight how AI-driven solutions can enhance operational efficiency, predictive maintenance, and resource allocation, leading to substantial improvements across the industry.

Key discussion points will include:

• The role of AI in predictive analytics to anticipate maintenance needs and prevent costly downtimes.
• Optimising route planning and fuel consumption in maritime logistics through AI algorithms.
• Enhancing cargo handling and storage through AI-powered systems.
• The impact of AI on crew management and training programs.

12:00

Session Moderator:
Dr Amjed Al Thuhli, Board Member, O Bunkering

Speakers:
Faisal Al Abri, Senior Manager | Marine Personnel, Asyad Shipping
Sufyan Abdullah Salim Al Mamari, Assets Management Lead, SOHAR Port and Freezone
Dr. Ibrahim Behairy, Manager of Global Sustainability American Bureau of Shipping
Dr Salim Al Shualil, Director, Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies Projects Unit, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology

Close of conference speeches:
Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes
Lesley Bankes-Hughes

Throughout conference there will be opportunities to network with maritime stakeholders in a dedicated B2B zone.
Companies wanting to showcase their expertise/technologies should contact - info@ship.energy.

13:00

Networking Lunch
Sponsored by Strategic Partner

POST-CONFERENCE VISIT

In the afternoon of 30 April there will be an organised visit to the TFG Marine-operated bunker barge, Margherita Cosulich, at berth in Port Sultan Qaboos. Delegates will be able to board the barge and inspect the installed MFM unit.

Margherita Cosulich, painted in Omani colours, is currently the only barge actively serving the Omani bunker market to the enhanced bunkering standard implemented by the Port of Sohar.

To register your interest in the barge visit, please email info@ship.energy