Oman's northernmost port, Shinas, is planning to start a marine fuel supply service, a move reported on 1 October 2026. The announcement comes as ship operators search for alternatives to traditional bunkering services amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The port is currently used by fishing boats and for boat repairs, and the proposed fuel service would mark a significant expansion of its commercial role. Sources said the facility has targeted a first-phase capacity of 200,000 metric tons per month of marine fuels, equivalent to around 2 million mt a year.
Port authorities and operators were not quoted directly in the report, and the published account did not set out a start date for the new service. The designation of the 200,000 metric tons per month figure was presented as an initial capacity target for the first phase.
Commercial rationale
The development is framed in the report as a response to demand from shipping companies seeking alternatives to bunkering services during the conflict in the Middle East. By positioning itself as a supply option, Shinas would be offering a new logistical choice for vessels operating in the wider region.
reports emphasised that the plan addresses a market need created by uncertainty over existing bunkering arrangements. No further operational details, such as the types of marine fuels to be offered or storage and handling arrangements, were provided in the summary of the report.
Local profile and capacity
Shinas is described in the report as Oman's northernmost port and is currently used principally by fishing craft and for boat repairs. The planned fuel supply service would broaden the port's activity beyond its established local functions.
The first-phase capacity target of 200,000 metric tons per month, or roughly 2 million mt per year, was presented as the port's initial ambition. The report did not indicate whether additional phases or capacity expansions are envisaged beyond that first-stage figure.
The move to offer marine fuels at Shinas comes at a time when ship operators are reassessing supply chains and looking for alternative points of refuelling. Sources indicated the plan and set out the capacity aims, but left several practical and timing questions unanswered in the published item.
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