Ottco and Royal Vopak sign agreement for SEZAD
Published by Ellie Brosnan,
Editorial Assistant
Tanks and Terminals,
The agreement, concluded during the Duqm Economic Forum 2025, reflects OQ’s continued commitment to expanding its investments in Duqm and supports national efforts to attract foreign investment and strengthen global partnerships in one of the region’s fastest-growing industrial and logistics hubs.
The agreement was signed by Ashraf Hamed Al Mamari, Group CEO of OQ and Chris Robblee, President of Asia and Middle East, Vopak.
Under the new partnership, OTTCO will hold a 51% share and Vopak 49%, with the new company set to develop and operate energy storage and terminal infrastructure at Duqm. These facilities will support both traditional energy flows and the evolving demands of the global energy transition towards more integrated and sustainable ecosystems.
By combining OTTCO’s strategic role as a cornerstone in crude storage and transport and Vopak’s global expertise in terminal operations, the partnership will establish a new entity that drives sustainable industrial growth and leverages Duqm’s strategic location along key international shipping routes.
OTTCO currently operates the Ras Markaz crude oil storage terminal, with a total capacity of 26.7 million bbl, including 5.2 million bbl dedicated to the Duqm Refinery. The company also manages the Duqm Port storage and export terminal. Since commencing operations in 2023, OTTCO has handled more than 176 million bbl of crude oil through 98 vessels at Ras Markaz and over 21 million bbl through 560 vessels at the Duqm export terminal.
Eng. Salim bin Marhoon Al Hashmi, Managing Director of OTTCO, said: “This partnership is a strategic move toward unlocking the full potential of Duqm as a catalyst for economic diversification, industrialisation, and sustainable growth. Together with our partners, we are shaping a future-ready platform that positions Oman at the heart of global energy and industrial transformations.”
Marcel van de Kar, Managing Director Oman at Vopak, said: “Vopak is excited to collaborate with OTTCO on this strategic partnership in Duqm, marking an important step in expanding our global network. Our companies’ combined strengths in infrastructure development and operational excellence will be instrumental in creating a leading energy hub serving diverse industrial customers while supporting their sustainable growth.”
The initiative aligns with Oman’s national strategy to diversify its economy and position Duqm as a competitive global economic centre and a key driver of sustainable development, supported by a long-term vision focused on enabling the flow of both hydrocarbons and emerging energy fuels such as hydrogen and renewables-based products, unlocking new pathways for Oman’s sustainable industrial growth and reinforcing Duqm’s role as a strategic enabler of global energy transition.
Read the article online at: https://www.tanksterminals.com/terminals/27102025/ottco-and-royal-vopak-sign-agreement-for-sezad/