The Middle East’s First LNG Bunkering Facility Set to Transform Shipping Industry
The Middle East is on the brink of a significant milestone in the shipping industry with the development of the first LNG bunkering facility at the Port of Sohar in Oman. This groundbreaking project, known as the Marsa LNG plant, is a collaboration between TotalEnergies and OQ Exploration and Production (OQEP), representing a massive $1.6 billion investment.
After five years of planning, construction has finally commenced on the Marsa LNG plant, aimed at establishing Oman as a key LNG hub serving the entire Gulf region. The project is being spearheaded by Marsa LNG, a joint venture between TotalEnergies holding an 80% stake and OQEP with a 20% share.
Situated at the bustling Sohar Port and Freezone, a strategic global shipping hub, the 1 million tonnes per year liquefaction plant will provide LNG bunkering services to vessels operating across the Middle East. Anticipated to be operational by the first quarter of 2028, the plant’s development aligns with the increasing maritime activity at Sohar Port, which welcomed over 3,000 vessel calls in 2024.
As part of the project, Marsa has secured a charter contract for a cutting-edge bunkering vessel named Monte Shams, currently under construction and scheduled to be stationed in Sohar by 2028. The vessel, boasting a capacity of 18,600 cbm, will cater to a diverse range of vessels, including containerships, tankers, and cruise ships.
The Marsa LNG project is underpinned by a reliable upstream gas supply of 150 million cubic feet per day sourced from the Mabrouk North-East field in onshore Block 10. With a 33.19% interest in the field, Marsa ensures a steady feedstock supply for the LNG plant.
Setting new standards in sustainability, the Marsa facility is designed to be one of the world’s most environmentally friendly LNG plants. It will operate on fully electrified processes and will be complemented by a 300 MW solar farm to meet its energy requirements sustainably.
Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, expressed the company’s commitment to pioneering low-emission LNG facilities, stating, “We intend to set the standard and pave the way for the next generation of low-emissions LNG plants worldwide.” He highlighted the role of the Marsa facility in supporting the shipping sector’s energy transition by offering cleaner marine fuel options in a strategic location at the Gulf entrance.
Furthermore, the Marsa LNG project aligns with TotalEnergies’ broader initiatives to support the shipping industry’s transition to LNG. The company has made significant investments in LNG bunkering infrastructure, currently operating bunker vessels such as the Gas Agility in Rotterdam, the Gas Vitality in Marseille-Fos, and the Brassavola in Singapore.