The Company’s board of directors which met yesterday approved the purchase of these vessels, WOQOD said. The Bitumen ship will have a 4,000 tons capacity while the heavy fuel oil vessel 34,000 tons. With these, WOQOD will have a marine fleet strength of five.

The Company’s board of directors presided over by H.E the Deputy Premier, Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah decided to establish a marine services company to cater exclusively to the requirements of WOQOD’s vessels.

WOQOD, Qatar’s sole fuel transporter and distributor, is on track to establish some 50 state-of-the-art petrol stations in Qatar by 2012. WOQOD’s first LPG plant is expected to be ready at Doha’s New Industrial Area by 2008-end. The plant will cost in excess of QR 120mn. Currently, two types of LPG cylinders- 12 kg and 48 kg are being marketed in Qatar. WOQOD is also in the process of reconditioning 12 kg cylinders now used by households. Repainting of 12 kg cylinders with WOQOD logo is being done.

The DSM-listed, Qatar Fuel (WOQOD) has the exclusive rights to market all petroleum products including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). On establishment in 2002, it was given a 15-year monopoly over marketing, transportation and distribution of LPG and petroleum products in Qatar. WOQOD has completely taken over QP’s fuel distribution arm- the now defunct NODCO. WOQOD, in which QP holds a 40% stake, is the first public limited company in Qatar’s hydrocarbon industry.