28 April - 30 April
The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, Muscat, Oman
This important event will give maritime stakeholders a unique chance to see how Oman’s maritime-related industries are responding to the many opportunities created by changing global trade flows, technological change, global regulation, and the energy transition.
Oman25 Forum
The inaugural Oman Maritime, Ports and Energy Forum will showcase the Sultanate’s ports, energy, shipping, maritime logistics and bunkering sectors. In doing so, it will highlight how Oman’s maritime-related industries are responding to the opportunities and challenges created by changing global trade flows, regional and global regulation, technological innovation, digitalisation, and the production and supply infrastructure for new energy sources.
In profiling the resources and expertise available in Oman – and the wider Middle East region – the Forum will allow stakeholders from outside the region to see the potential and scope for business opportunities, engage with relevant companies and organisations, and begin all-important commercial discussions.
Programme details are updated regularly and are subject to change as new speakers are confirmed and themes developed.
Signing of agreement between Advario Terminals LLC and Hormuz Marine
Advario Terminals LLC has entered into an agreement to lease a storage tank to Hormuz Marine LLC at the Port of Sohar to support their bunkering activities in the Port of Sohar and across Oman.
The agreement will be signed by Bahjat Tuffaha, General Manager, Advario Terminals and Sulaiman Al Hadhrami, CEO, Hormuz Marine.
This strategic signing marks a significant milestone for both companies, reinforcing their joint commitment to developing Sohar as a premier bunkering hub. Sohar Port is also actively involved in this initiative to strengthen its position in regional and global bunkering markets.
In this wide-ranging session, speakers will address contractual considerations when establishing joint ventures and partnerships between Oman and international companies. They will explain the rapidly changing regional and global landscape for environmental regulation in relation to shipping and ports, and consider contractual approaches to complying with legislation and policy, including IMO regulations and regional regulations such as the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ raft of measures.
In the context of Maritime’s energy transition, this session will also discuss the provision of education and training in the maritime sector, with a focus on skilling the future workforce.
Moderated by: Lesley Bankes-Hughes
Speakers:
Toufic Safie, Managing Associate, Stephenson Harwood
Dr Chief Eng Mohamed Saber, Department of Maritime, National University of Science & Technology, International Maritime College Oman
Natalie Jensen, Partner, Watson, Farley & Williams (Middle East) LLP
Managing Director
ship.energy
Lesley Bankes-Hughes is a highly experienced editor, news journalist and features writer. After a number of years as business editor of Jane’s Defence Weekly, she worked for the International Stock Exchange and Euromoney Publications. She also established a specialist newsletter covering European corporate mergers and acquisitions, and later spent several years at Christ Church, University of Oxford, with responsibility for developing educational outreach projects.
Partner
Watson, Farley & Williams (Middle East) LLP
Natalie is a Partner in our shipping and marine insurance teams in Dubai. She handles some of the most complex and high value maritime disputes in the UAE.
Natalie advises a broad range of clients including traders, shipowners, charterers, cargo interests, P&I clubs and insurers in connection with disputes arising out of charterparties, bills of lading, contracts of affreightment, and other contracts of carriage, as well as disputes arising out of collisions and allisions. She also has a particular interest in bunker disputes and has developed a reputation as an expert in this area in the UAE.
Natalie has in-depth experience of representing her clients in the English High Court, UAE Courts and DIFC and London and UAE maritime arbitration centres.
In addition, Natalie also advises clients on non-contentious commercial matters relating to matters in the maritime, international transport and trade and energy sectors.
Picking up on some of the discussions in Session Six, this session will explore the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in optimising maritime logistics, shipping, and energy operations. Discussions will highlight how AI-driven solutions can enhance operational efficiency, predictive maintenance, and resource allocation, leading to substantial improvements across the industry.
Key discussion points will include:
Session Moderator:
Dr Amjed Al Thuhli, Board Member, O Bunkering
Speakers:
Faisal Al Abri, Senior Manager | Marine Personnel, Asyad Shipping
Sufyan Abdullah Salim Al Mamari, Assets Management Lead, SOHAR Port and Freezone
Dr. Ibrahim Behairy, Manager of Global Sustainability American Bureau of Shipping
Dr Salim Al Shualil, Director, Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies Projects Unit, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology
Close of conference speeches:
Llewellyn & Lesley Bankes-Hughes
Senior Manager | Marine Personnel
Asyad Shipping
Faisal is the Senior Manager of Marine Personnel at Asyad Shipping Company, where he is responsible for overseeing the management, welfare, and professional development of the company’s maritime crew. With over 17 years of experience in the shipping industry, Faisal has significantly contributed to enhancing training programs, optimizing crew management, and integrating innovative technologies to improve operational efficiency.
Faisal holds a degree in Nautical Science from the UK, a diploma in Ship Management from Lloyd’s Maritime Academy, and is an alumnus of IMD Business School. His professional journey spans 11 years as a Naval Officer, followed by 6 years in the Oil & Gas exploration industry, before transitioning to the shipping sector, where he has made a substantial impact at Asyad Shipping.
With a passion for safety, efficiency, and crew development, Faisal continues to drive initiatives that support the sustainable growth of the maritime industry, particularly through the development of Omani talent in the sector.
Assets Management Lead
SOHAR Port and Freezone
Sufyan Al Mamari currently serves as a Senior Asset Management Engineer at SOHAR Port and Freezone where he has led the growth of AI Application Development, combining his experience in logistics infrastructure and technology.
A Civil Engineering graduate of Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, Oman, he has 12 years of professional experience within transportation infrastructure, including marine, airport and road networks. He specialises in integrating new and emerging technology into existing operations applying drones and artificial intelligence to the main logistic infrastructures.
Sufyan has acquired a broad base of experience in digital asset management during his career with roles in education, logistics, oil and gas, and aviation. He joined SOHAR in 2012 as Maintenance Engineer and has been in his current role for nearly six years.
He is certified by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in Port Engineering, as well as a certified Project Management Professional from the Project Management Institute and a qualified NACE Coating Inspector Program level 2 (CIP2).
Sufyan is also a PADI certified Search/Recovery diver, Rescue Diver and Underwater Photographer.
Manager of Global Sustainability
American Bureau of Shipping
Dr. Ibrahim Behairy is the Manager of Global Sustainability at ABS Based in Dubai, UAE
Dr. Behairy is a distinguished Marine Engineer with over 35 years of experience in the industry, during which he has received numerous awards and accolades.
Prior to ABS, Dr. Behairy was the Managing Director for the Middle East at WinGD
He began his career as a Marine Engineer and later joined Wartsila, where he spent over 8 years at their headquarters in Switzerland before relocating to their office in the U.A.E. He has been residing in the U.A.E. for over 10 years.
Dr. Behairy is widely respected for his significant contributions to the Marine Industry, as well as his impact on the U.A.E. and the entire GCC region.
https://www.abs-group.com/About/Global-Reach/Europe-Middle-East-Africa
Throughout the conference there will be opportunities to speak with exhibitors and to engage and network in a dedicated B2B zone. Companies wanting to showcase their expertise/technologies should contact – [email protected].
POST-CONFERENCE VISIT
In the afternoon of 30 April there will be an organised visit to the TFG Marine-operated bunker barge, Margherita Cosulich, at berth in Port Sultan Qaboos. Delegates will be able to board the barge and inspect the installed MFM unit.
Margherita Cosulich, painted in Omani colours, is currently the only barge actively serving the Omani bunker market to the enhanced bunkering standard implemented by the Port of Sohar.
To register your interest in the barge visit, please email [email protected]
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