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Royal Dutch Shell is reportedly planning to set up a marine fuels and lubricants business at Jebel Ali port in Dubai, according to market sources.

The oil major is understood to be aiming to launch the new business operation in 2011 as part of its growth strategy in the Middle East.

"We're just entering the Jebel Ali Port as a new market entry. So our marine business is certainly growing here in the Middle East," said Richard Jory, the general manager of Shell Markets Middle East.

Shell will initially carry out bunker deliveries using one barge to supply both fuels and lubricants to customers calling at Jebel Ali.

Commenting on the company's delivery strategy, Jory said "In terms of scale, we'll have a barge, which does the operation for both fuels and lubricants. But we'll have to see how many contracts we are able to secure."