O Bunkering Company and Marafi Services Company have announced the completion of their merger and the establishment of a unified national entity under the name "O Bunkering".
This move represents a qualitative shift in the sector's structure and enhances its ability to achieve higher levels of operational efficiency and service integration.
The merger comes in response to rapid developments in maritime supply chain requirements and market needs, aiming to elevate performance, unify operational and financial capabilities, and expand the range of services provided. This integration contributes to enhancing In-Country Value (ICV) and supporting the sustainability of the maritime sector in the Sultanate of Oman, in alignment with the objectives of "Oman Vision 2040" to bolster the logistics sector as a primary driver of economic growth.
This development will contribute to raising the standards of marine services and ship bunkering in the ports of the Sultanate of Oman through integrated and more efficient operational solutions, supported by modern management systems and advanced corporate governance and compliance practices.
Furthermore, the merger serves as a fundamental pillar for supporting national competencies by enhancing job stability, expanding professional development paths, and facilitating knowledge transfer, thereby increasing the readiness of Omani personnel to lead and operate advanced maritime operations.
This integration bolsters the sector’s competitiveness at both regional and international levels and consolidates the Sultanate of Oman’s position as an active hub for marine bunkering and related logistics services, while improving the efficiency and reliability of maritime supply chains.
Eng. Said Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, explained that this merger represents a qualitative leap in the institutional maturity of Omani companies operating in the logistics sector.
He noted that it unifies the assets, resources, capabilities, and expertise of the two companies, qualifying them to transform into a large commercial entity characterized by higher levels of operational efficiency, service, and production capacity, thereby strengthening competitiveness locally and regionally.
He added that this direction achieves higher growth and sustainability for Omani companies, ensures a greater contribution from the private sector to the national economy, and fulfills economic diversification goals.
For his part, Eng. Khamis Mohammed Al Shamakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Transport, stated that this merger comes within the framework of national companies' commitment to developing the institutional infrastructure of the logistics sector. This enhances the integration of roles, raises operational performance efficiency, contributes to providing more reliable and sustainable services, and reinforces Oman’s position as an active regional hub for trade and maritime services.
Ali Amer Al Shaibani, CEO of O Bunkering, pointed out that this merger fulfills the government's ambition and is a calculated executive step based on the realities and needs of the sector. It aims to build an integrated national system in the ship bunkering sector capable of enhancing competitiveness and sustainability in a vital sector that serves as the lifeline of the maritime logistics system.
Sulaiman Ali Al Hadrami, CEO of Marafi Services, said that this merger marks the beginning of a new phase of growth and expansion, where the company will continue to provide its services according to the highest standards of efficiency and reliability. This supports operational integration and maximizes the efficiency of maritime supply chains by aligning capabilities and unifying operations based on data-driven methodologies.
He emphasized the pursuit of higher operational performance indicators and service reliability, the adoption of innovative solutions to enhance operational sustainability, and the expansion of maritime and logistics services to keep pace with market requirements inside and outside the Sultanate of Oman.
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