Oman has amended its port bunkering regulations to restrict the supply of marine gasoil (MGO) by land transport to locally owned small and medium enterprises, according to a ministerial decision published August 31.

Ministerial Decision 282/2025, issued by Transport Minister Said bin Hamoud bin Said Al Maawali, amends the country's 2020 bunkering regulations and introduces new requirements for fuel supply operations in Omani ports.

Under the revised Article 7, the activity of supplying ships with MGO by land transport is now limited to Omani SMEs that meet specific criteria. These companies must be fully owned by Omanis, specialise in marine fuel supply, and be registered with the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development.

The amendments also establish that each port must have a minimum of two specialised companies licensed to engage in bunkering activities.

The decision introduces new procedural requirements for licensing, mandating that port administrations conclude agreements with licence applicants that specify rights and obligations before issuing permits. All financial transactions related to licensing must be conducted through banks licensed in Oman.

The amendments are based on Oman's Maritime Law, which was promulgated by Royal Decree No. 19/2023, and build upon the existing Regulations for Bunkering Ships in Omani Ports established by Ministerial Decision No. 31/2020.

The new rules took effect September 1, the day following their publication in the Official Gazette.

The changes represent part of Oman's broader efforts to develop its domestic maritime services sector while maintaining competitive bunkering operations across its strategic port network along key shipping routes between Asia, Europe and Africa.