Svitzer bags long-term towage job at Oman’s LNG terminal

Denmark-based towage and marine services provider Svitzer has signed a contract with Oman LNG, a joint venture company between the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and seven global energy players, to provide towage services at a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal near the town of Sur, Oman.

The nine-year contract, described by the Danish firm as “large,” covers the time charter of four newbuild 65-ton bollard pull azimuth stern drive tugs to assist in the berthing and unberthing of vessels carrying LNG and natural gas liquids (NGL) at the jetty in Qalhat LNG terminal. The operations are planned to start at the beginning of 2026.

Svitzer’s Managing Director in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (AMEA), Deniz Kirdar True, said: “This new contract not only aligns with Svitzer’s growth strategy, it is also an important step in solidifying our position in Oman and the broader region. We are proud that Oman LNG have placed their trust with us to manage their towage operations, and we look much forward to providing safe and reliable services in their terminal.”

Svitzer will provide firefighting capabilities, escort duties, pilot boarding, and dive support alongside towage services. The Danish player has been providing towage and marine services in Oman since 2005.

Oman LNG is a joint venture (JV) between the Government of the Sultanate of Oman (51%), Shell Group (30%), TotalEnergies (5.54%), KOLNG (5%), Partex (2%), Mitsubishi (2.77%), Mitsui (2.77%), and Itochu (0.92%).

The company operates a three-train liquefaction plant with a nameplate capacity of 10.4 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) at Qalhat. In November 2024, KBR secured a front-end engineering design (FEED) deal for the expansion of the complex by adding a fourth train, which is set to have a 3.8-mtpa capacity. 

In early January, Oman LNG delivered its first LNG shipment forming part of long-term supply agreements with Shell. The energy major inked a contract with Oman LNG to purchase up to 1.6 mtpa of LNG from the latter during the 2025–2034 period, making it the largest buyer of natural gas from the Omani player.