Oman Maritime, Ports and Energy Forum PROGRAMME

28-30 APRIL 2025

 

Standard Delegate Pass: £895

REGISTER HERE

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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.

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Open dialogue:  Harnessing commercial opportunities to drive maritime trade

The inaugural Oman, 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, technological change, global regulation, and the energy transition.

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.

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 MONDAY 2025 

14:00 – 17:00

Workshop: An Introduction to Bunker Mass Flow Meter (MFM) System Applications
Click here for course details

18:00-20:00

Welcome Evening Reception
Crown Plaza Muscat OCEC
Sponsored by Platinum Sponsor

 

 

 TUESDAY 2025

08:00-09:00

Registration

Welcome Coffee
Sponsored by Silver Sponsor

 

OPENING SESSION

09:15

H.E. Stella Kloth, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Oman

H.E. Pascal H. Grégoire, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Yemen

British Embassy, Muscat

Emile Hoogsteden, CEO, Port of Sohar

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SESSION ONE

10:00

Speakers in this session will address:

• The outlook for global trade, geopolitical uncertainties, and the impact on commodity flows
• The shipping forecast: The regional and global outlook for vessel segments and a review of the global orderbook
• Oman’s oil and gas industries, including offshore exploration initiatives, and potential opportunities for ancillary services

Dr Iman Nasseri, Managing Director, Middle East, Facts Global Energy

Robin Meech, Managing Director, Marine and Energy Consulting Limited

Mark Williams, Managing Director, Shipping Strategy Limited

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11:00 – 11:45

Networking Coffee Break
Sponsored by Silver Sponsor

 

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SESSION TWO

11:45

This session will highlight developments and projects at Omani ports, including Sohar, Duqm and Salalah. Speakers will focus on sectors such as:

• Terminals and storage
• Logistics and the supply chain
• Industrial zones: Freezone Sohar, Salalah Freezone, Duqm Special Economic Zone
• Marine fuels supply – Oman’s growing importance as a safe and reliable bunkering location

Salim Al Baimani, Bunker Trader, O Bunkering

Hamza Al Hadhrami, Business Development Manager, Hormuz Marine

TBC, Khimji Ramdas

Dimitri Van Eekelen, Vice President – Commercial, SOHAR Port and Freezone

Panellist:

Muhanna Moosa Baqer, Director General of Ports, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology

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13:00-14:00

Networking Lunch
Sponsored by Gold Sponsor

 

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SESSION THREE

14:00

This session will address the importance of the twin drivers of digitalisation and environmental regulation for shipping. Discussions will centre on:

• The importance of digitalisation for vessel optimisation and efficiency
• Introducing transparency into the marine fuel supply chain
• How new and upcoming global and regional environmental regulation is impacting international shipping. How owners, operators and charterers should prepare to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex regulatory environment

Captain Batti Al Shibli, Harbour Master, SOHAR Port and Freezone

Kenneth Dam, Global Head of Bunkering, TFG Marine

Harmonising practices, enabling marine fuel supply chain transparency
Tan Ting Jun, Analytics Engineer, Metcore International Pte Ltd

Panellist:

Darrick Pang, Managing Director, Metcore International Pte Ltd

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15:00-15:30

Networking Coffee Break
Sponsored by Silver Sponsor

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SESSION FOUR

15:30

The final session on the first day of the Forum will look at Oman’s key role in the energy transition. Speakers will highlight:

• Oman’s potential as a green energy producer and the opportunities for shipping in energy transportation and as a consumer of green fuels.
• Green energy production across the wider Middle East, including solar.
• Shipping’s new fuels – biofuels, LNG, methanol, ammonia and hydrogen. What is the demand for – and the availability of – green variants of these fuels, and how is supply infrastructure developing in Oman and the Middle East.
• Handling the new fuels, both onboard and in the port environment. The development of safety regulations and the challenges in upskilling the maritime workforce to deliver shipping’s energy transition.

Amine El Kadiri, General Manager, GTT Middle East LLC

Dr. Abdullah Sulaiman Al-Abri, Vice President - Sustainability, SOHAR PORT AND FREEZONE

Navigating Low and Zero Emission Fuels
Akin Adamson, Director, Middle East, Ricardo Gulf Technical Consultancy LLC

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18:00-20:00

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

 

 

 WEDNESDAY 2025 

08:30

Welcome Coffee
Sponsored by Silver Sponsor

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SESSION FIVE

09:30

The strengths and capabilities of Oman’s shipping sector will be highlighted in this section, including the opportunities for:

• Vessel optimisation and retrofits
• Ship repair
• Agency services

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10:30

Networking Coffee Break
Sponsored by Strategic Partner

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SESSION SIX

11:15

This session will focus on training and education for the sector, including handling new shipping fuels, both onboard and in the port environment, the development of safety regulations and the challenges in upskilling the maritime workforce to deliver shipping’s energy transition.

10:00

 

Impact of Digitalization and Decarbonization on Seafarers' Training, Education, and Skills Development.
Dr Capt. Arife Tugsan Isiacik Colak, Captain Superintendent & Head of Department, Department of Maritime, National University of Science and Technology, International Maritime College Oman

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Throughout the morning there will be opportunities to speak with exhibitors and to engage and network in a dedicated B2B zone. Companies wanting to showcase their expertise/technologies should contact info@petrospot.com.

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12:30

Networking Lunch
Sponsored by Strategic Partner

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In the afternoon 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.

More details will be revealed soon.

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