Iraq’s SOMO seeks 446,250 tonnes of fuel oil for delivery through December 2026
Iraq’s state-owned SOMO is seeking about 446,250 tonnes of fuel oil containing 2,500 ppm sulfur for delivery to Khor al-Zubair port from September through December 2026. The first 40,000-tonne cargo is due by September 15, while bids close on September 7.
SOMO returns to the fuel-oil market
Iraq’s state-owned Oil Marketing Company, known as SOMO, is seeking to buy about 446,250 tonnes of fuel oil for delivery between September and December 2026. The tender covers material containing 2,500 parts per million of sulfur and calls for deliveries to Khor al-Zubair port, according to a company document reviewed by Reuters and reported by Mubasher.
The planned purchase is SOMO’s second fuel-oil buying tender of 2026. The volume and four-month delivery window establish a sizeable procurement programme rather than a single spot purchase, giving suppliers an opportunity to place multiple cargoes into the Iraqi market. The document describes the fuel as a product used in industry and transport, but it does not identify preferred countries of origin, potential suppliers or a pricing formula.
First cargo required by September 15
The first shipment is set at 40,000 tonnes and must arrive no later than September 15. Offers are due by September 7 and must remain valid for 20 days. SOMO had not responded to Reuters’ request for comment outside business hours, according to the report.
The short interval between the bidding deadline and the first delivery date puts particular weight on prompt cargo availability and shipping logistics. The disclosed terms do not specify how the remaining 406,250 tonnes will be divided among shipments between September and December. They also do not disclose the tender’s payment conditions or whether SOMO may award the volume to one supplier or several counterparties.
Imports follow an earlier 2026 tender
SOMO previously sought fuel oil in July for delivery during August and September. Trade sources cited in the report attributed that import requirement to a shortage of cargoes from other suppliers. The latest tender extends Iraq’s purchasing schedule through December and signals continued demand for externally sourced fuel oil despite the country’s refining investments.
Iraq began operating the new Karbala refinery in 2023 and offered cargoes for sale under term contracts earlier in 2026. The coexistence of those sales and SOMO’s import tenders shows that headline refining capacity alone does not determine the country’s product balance. Fuel specifications, the timing and location of supply, and availability from individual producers can still create a need for purchases. For regional traders, the central commercial questions are which suppliers can provide 2,500 ppm sulfur material within the required schedule and how the 446,250-tonne programme will be allocated. No bid prices, awards or supplier names were disclosed in the source material.