DAMASCUS, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Syria began loading its first shipment of Iraqi fuel oil at the Baniyas oil terminal on the Mediterranean coast on Wednesday, preparing to export it to global markets.

"Loading of the first Iraqi fuel oil shipments has begun at Baniyas terminal ahead of export via the designated tanker," the Syrian Petroleum Company said in a statement.

The monthly volume of Iraqi fuel oil passing through Baniyas is expected to reach about 500,000 metric tons, a company official told state media, calling it a key step in restoring Syria's role as an energy transit hub.

Once unloaded into storage tanks at the Baniyas refinery in Tartous province, the fuel oil will be transferred to marine tankers for export by sea.

Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organization has contracted to move roughly 650,000 tons of fuel oil per month through Syria from April to June as a trial, which could lead to longer-term arrangements. ■