Shinas marine-fuels terminal advances into engineering phase

Front-end engineering design is under way for a marine-fuels terminal planned at Shinas Port on Oman’s North Al Batinah coast, placing the project on a possible path towards major equipment and construction procurement.

International engineering company Bilfinger is providing first-phase FEED services to Shinas Marine Fuels & Oil Terminals. The work is intended to establish the facility’s technical and commercial framework before subsequent investment and execution decisions.

The first phase is designed for capacity of approximately 200,000 tonnes a month, equivalent to 2.4mn tonnes a year. A desulphurisation unit is planned as part of the facility to support the production of lower-sulphur marine fuels.

The project forms part of a wider programme to expand the logistics and commercial role of Shinas Port. Separate development plans for the port include additional infrastructure, digitalised operations, solar power, battery storage, shore power, cargo-equipment electrification and water-reuse and waste-management systems.

The terminal’s value, engineering schedule and construction timetable have not been disclosed. Progress through FEED should be monitored for environmental approvals, investment decisions and possible EPC, storage-tank, processing-equipment, utilities, marine works and automation packages.

Sources: Oman Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Oman Observer.