MUSCAT -- Oiltanking Odfjell Terminals & Co LLC (OOTO) successfully commenced bulk liquid storage operations at its state-of-the art tank terminal located in the industrial Port of Sohar. OOTO has put 322,000 cubic metres (cbm) into operation to cater for the storage and handling of clean petroleum products and chemicals. It is the first phase of the 842,500 cbm facility which is due for completion in the first half of 2009.
The first cargo into tank was received in August for Al Intaj Sulphochemical Industries Co LLC. This manufacturer will use OOTO's facilities to import feedstock and supply the product by truck to its production facility located in Sohar Industrial Estate. It enables Al Intaj to organise its feedstock requirements in such a way that the most economical logistic solutions are achieved.
In late August OOTO received its first petroleum cargo through a pump over from the refinery and last week the first cargo of petroleum was successfully loaded ex tank via OOTO infrastructure onto a vessel berthed at one of OOTO's deepwater marine jetties. OOTO will commission an additional 216,500 cbm by the end of the year and another 304,000 cbm in the first and second quarter of 2009.
The terminal's infrastructure provides excellent flexibility to its customers, quick turnaround times for vessels and added capabilities such as truck loading, blending and injecting of additives. OOTO's tank terminal also has multiple pipeline connections to the Sohar refinery owned by Oman Refineries and Petrochemicals Companies LLC.
Part of OOTO's capacity will be used by Aromatics Oman LLC for the storage and handling of feedstock and produced product. OOTO will be actively involved in the production process of this world-scale aromatics plant by continuously pumping feedstock into the production process and at the same time receiving produced product such as chemicals and gases in tank before loading these onto vessels for export.
Besides the current scope OOTO continues to pursue various other projects with the aim of transforming Sohar into a major liquids hub in the region and in this way contribute to Oman's credentials as a petrochemicals giant. OOTO also strives to further integrate itself with production facilities being considered in the industrial port who wish to capitalize on the economies of scale the central tank farm can offer them. Oiltanking Odfjell is committed to its Omanisation program and has a well-trained team to operate the tank terminal as well as the liquid jetties. Omanis represent the vast majority of the workforce of the company.
Oiltanking Odfjell Terminals & Co LLC is a joint venture of Oiltanking Odfjell Oman BV (70 per cent), Oman Oil Company (25 per cent) and a private investment company (5 per cent). In November 2004, Oiltanking Odfjell signed a contract for the operation of liquid berthing facilities and the development of an independent bulk liquids storage terminal at the Sohar Industrial Port.
Oiltanking, a subsidiary of Germany's Marquard & Bahls AG, is the second largest independent storage provider worldwide for petroleum products, chemicals and gases. Oiltanking owns and operates 62 terminals in 20 countries in Europe, Middle-East, North and South America and Asia and has an overall capacity of over 13 million cubic meters. Odfjell is a leading company in the global market of transporting chemicals and other specialty bulk liquids as well as providing related logistical services. The fleet totals about 123 ships, trading both globally and regionally.
By Staff Reporter
© Oman Daily Observer 2008
