Hamburg/Oman - Oman Oil Matrix Marine Services LLC (MXO), a leading marine fuel supplier, today announced the expansion of its physical infrastructure in Oman with the deployment of a new bunker barge in the Port of Sohar. The new barge, MV Stephanie, with 7,535 DWT is providing both heavy fuel oil – IFO 380 RMG 2010 – and marine gas oil to customers at all locations within the Port of Sohar and anchorage areas. MXO now has two dedicated bunker barges within the port providing exclusive supply, following the earlier deployment of AZALEA in August 2014. This development is in line with the company’s strategy to expand its physical operations on a global basis, building closer relationships with its customers, and ensuring the highest quality of its bunkering services and products. “Developing our physical infrastructure means that we have more control over the end-to-end bunkering supply chain from order through to final delivery,” said Stephen Robinson, Managing Director of MXO. “This enables us to ensure the quality and quantity of products, the reliability of supply, as well as minimizing costs and maximizing operational efficiencies within the bunkering process. Despite the drop in global oil prices, marine fuel remains a significant proportion of a vessel’s operating costs. We are therefore working closely with our customers to provide the optimum bunker solution, creating real value for them when it comes to marine fuel procurement,” continued Robinson. MXO has an experienced team in the Port of Sohar, where it has had a presence for a number of years, as it is an ideal location to serve vessels on trade routes between Europe and Asia. The company is also in discussions to offer ex-pipe deliveries from the Oiltanking Odfjell terminal to further expand its physical offering for customers. “Sohar has grown exponentially as a shipping hub over the last five years and we are confident that it will continue attracting the world’s biggest shipping lines. Our new barge will extend and increase the efficiency of movements in the port during peak hours. Over 2,000 ships called at Sohar last year and as commercial shipping continues to relocate from the capital Muscat to Sohar, the importance of a quick turnaround for vessels and their cargo cannot be overstated,” added MXO Commercial Director, Murthed Al Kharusi.